William ''Billy'' P. Gilbert

William P. "Bill" Gilbert, lifelong horseman and avid boater, died on December 22, 2011 at his home in Churchville, MD. He was 77.

Bill was born on June 21, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA. Son of Samuel H. Gilbert and Nancy Drayton Gilbert. He joined the Navy his junior year of high school. He served for two years active duty and seven years in the reserve. Bill worked for noted trainer "Pop" Dixon training horses for both steeple chasing and flat track. He then worked for various show stables and hunter barns, as well as training race horses. In 1971 he married Trish and moved to Walnut Hall in Boyce, VA where they owned and ran a breeding, breaking, and training thoroughbred program. In 1983 their business was moved to Church Mouse Meadows in Churchville, MD.

Bill was known as Mr. Fix It, he could fix almost anything. He loved to spend time on his boat, The Church Mouse, with 1st Mate wife Trish. They enjoyed bareboating and cruising on the bay with friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia "Trish" D. Gilbert of Churchville, MD; son, William Pepper Gilbert Jr. and wife, Alice Smith, of Worton, MD; daughters, Hollis Gilbert Fouts of NC, Ruth Rumsey Keefe and husband, Timothy L., of Sandy Spring, MD, Samantha Gilbert Brennan and husband, Peter, of Carbondale, CO; stepson, Raymond Guest III and wife, Mary Pat, of Bradenton, FL; stepdaughter, Mary Guest Looney and husband, Gregg, of Middleburg, VA; brothers, Samuel Gilbert of PA and Allen Gilbert of NH; sister, Joan Thayer of PA; sister-in-law, Diane Gilbert of Cape May, NJ; and twelve grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Teddy Gilbert.

A private celebration of his life will be determined at a later date.