William “Bill” Richard Gush

William Richard “Bill” Gush died on January 10, 2025 in his home in Youngsville, NC at age 82. He was born June 20, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA to Helen Catherine (Woods) Fagan and Joseph William Gush. He is survived by his daughters, Sara Michele Tolfree (Damian Tolfree) and Savanna Rose Gush Smith (Grant Smith), his beloved partner Linda Carlisle, his former wife Kimberly Ann “Kim” Gush, his brother Robert Joseph “Bob” Gush (Gundren Gush), and his sister MaryEllen Campo (Charles Campo).

As a child, he and his brother Bob were very close to his mum and pap Fagan, his aunt Grace and uncle Sam Cameron, and his cousin Diann. The family spent summers in Florida and eventually moved there. Bill graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL before attending Saint Bernard College (later known as Southern Benedictine College) in Cullman, AL, where he majored in Business Administration. After graduation, Bill returned to Florida and his life trajectory changed; he went back to school at Florida Atlantic University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling.

Bill knew what it was like to feel afraid and small and as though his voice did not matter in the world and he knew what it felt like to have someone fighting for you. Because of his experiences with childhood abuse, mental health crises, addiction, trauma, and physical disability, Bill wanted to help others. Bill sought to be a safe adult for thousands of children over his career – he served as a mental health counselor, a child advocate, ran rehabilitation programs for children in legal trouble, was a child support enforcement agent, a foster child case manager, an educator, and a beach lifeguard.

He wore a mustache for most of his adult life after a car accident in 1970 that left him with a permanent facial droop. His recovery was painful and slow, and this was when he learned the skill of self-hypnosis, which he used throughout the rest of his life and would proudly tell anyone about when they asked if he used an alarm clock in the morning (he didn’t need one!). He found confidence in athleticism, and spent more than 50 years lifting heavy weights; he was often noticed by younger gym-goers as he loaded nearly 500 lbs onto a leg press and was offended when his cardiologist suggested he dial it back some. Bill met his best friend Joel in 1972 and they worked together in Florida and North Carolina for many years.

Bill married Kim later in life, at age 47 (on his 47th birthday, in fact); he was settled in his career working for the state of Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice. He and Kim had their first child, Sara, the following year. Bill supported Kim as she pursued her own helping career as a physician and the family of three moved to North Carolina, where Bill began working at Wake County Human Services while Kim finished medical school and residency. They had their second child, Savanna, and Bill had the privilege of three months paternity leave to be at home with her. Bill was so proud of Kim’s intelligence, hard work, and determination and cheered her on as she became a Pediatrician and opened her own practice.

In 2006, Bill retired from Wake County and used his teaching license to return to the classroom as a substitute teacher in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. He was a highly sought after sub due to his experience and care for the children in his custody, but was careful not to accept jobs at the schools his children went to. Bill loved being a dad and was passionate about his most important job – helping shape the people his children would become.

Bill and Kim’s marriage ended in 2011 and they remained friends. Bill met his partner Linda in 2015 at a party hosted by his best friend Joel. They fell in love, moved in together, and Bill finally thought about retiring for real. When Savanna graduated high school two years later, Bill and Linda sold the house in Chapel Hill and moved to Youngsville, just down the street from Joel.

Bill took retirement in stride and he and Linda spent a lot of time traveling and with loved ones. He and Linda visited with all of their children, went to concerts, took many trips around the US (including an Alaskan cruise!), watched birds, and celebrated many milestones together. He took every opportunity he had to make or deepen relationships and enjoyed his visits with family and friends. Bill was excited to meet MaryEllen after a DNA test identified them as half-siblings in 2016 and they welcomed each other into their respective families. He visited his cousin Diann, his brother Bob, and even got to catch up with Kim’s side of the family. He got to know Linda’s children, Matt Schlageter (Andrea), Mona Schlageter, John Carlisle (Tina), James Carlisle (Jon Poupore), and remembrances of Robert Carlisle. He went to the gym, walked through the neighborhood (and Joyner Park indoor track when it was cold), and watched a lot of TV – shows, movies, news, and sports. Bill and Joel watched football together nearly every week and Bill cheered for his favorite players (who happened to play for certain teams – Kansas City and Pittsburgh, mostly).

He celebrated his daughters’ milestones – Sara’s graduation from Seminary and ordination to the Unitarian Universalist ministry; Savanna’s college graduation with a degree in mathematics; Sara’s marriage to Damian and Savanna’s marriage to Grant. He even got to celebrate the milestones of children that were not his own – their graduations, careers, marriages, children. Bill never failed to let his children know how proud he was of them and how much he loved them; he would say that he was fortunate to have them.

Bill had a stroke while he and Linda were in California for Christmas 2023. He worked hard to rehab, but was never able to return to his previous health. As he continued to decline physically and mentally, it was discovered that he had dementia. Bill spent his final weeks in hospice care at home. For over a year, Bill required extensive physical care and support that Linda provided or facilitated. Bill was thankful for the care and support of family, in-laws, friends, paid caregivers, and Transitions Lifecare. He was especially thankful for the loving care provided to him by his friend, Lisa Wilkins. Bill’s final days held many visitors who filled the home with love. He took his final breaths in the presence of family.

Bill was born into a Catholic family and received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and communion. He had a complicated relationship with Catholicism, but strong faith in the Holy Good (yes – Good, not just God). As he approached the end of his life, Bill received sacrament of the sick and communion; he found comfort in these rituals and in the connection to God. At his own request, Bill’s body was given to the care of EndsWell Funeral Home in Hillsborough, NC for alkaline hydrolysis, a disposition known as ‘aquamation’ – a greener alternative to cremation.

His family will host a celebration of his life on March 15, 2025 at his home in Youngsville, NC, further details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, Bills family asks that you donate to the Boys and Girls Club, your local food bank, or your local environmental justice group.