William Waitman Gullett, Sr., 92, of Vero Beach, passed away on Sept. 24, 2015, in Gloversville, N.Y.
He is survived by son Christopher, who lives in Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters Nicole Tubaugh of Vero Beach and Michelle Ratleph of Manchester, Tenn.; stepdaughters Nancy Mackey of St. Cloud, Fla., and Robin Waldron of Vero Beach; as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Gullett was born on Oct. 11, 1922 in Springfield, Ill.
A decorated B-17 bomber pilot in World War II, he went on to work as a metallurgist before entering politics. He started as a City Councilman and then Mayor of College Park, MD, then became the first elected County Executive of Prince George’s County, MD. He retired to Vero Beach after working in various capacities for the Federal Government, including a post as diplomat in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.
A resident of Vero Beach and Hope, N.Y., he was preceded in death by wives Helen Hammons, with whom he had four children, Myrt Wilson and Barbara Yurica. His son William Waitman Gullett, Jr., died in the line of duty serving as a police officer in Prince George’s County, Md., in 1969.
There will be a celebration of his life at Christ Church in Vero Beach, FL on Saturday, October 17th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors Fund.