Obituary of William Gibson

Chief William "Wassaja" Gibson, 80, of Yonkers, NY passed away Thursday August 2, 2012 at River Valley Care Center Poughkeepsie surrounded by his loving family. Chief Wassaja was born January 20, 1932 in Yonkers, NY to William Gibson and Marion Dawkins-Gibson. He was an only child. He served in the United States Marine Corp and was honorably discharged in 1952. He then went on and received an associates degree from Manhattan college. He retired from Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority as a supervisor, security director and account technician in 1990. He is the former Principal Chief & President of the Northeastern Native American Association. He served as editor/publisher for Smoke Signals, Common Ground, and The Westchester Advocate. He was the Labor & Industry chairman (C.A.C) NYS Urban Development Commission, a national board member of The Negro Labor Council, Yonkers Human Rights Commission chairman, commissioner of deeds of the Community Action Program in Yonkers, NY. He was the coordinator of Westchester County's 1963 March on Washington. He received the 1982 Golden Globe for poetry, Even Elevan "Man of the year" award 1965, 1986 Silver Scribe, and Who's Who in Poetry (World of Poetry), was published in the 1989 American Anthology of Contemporary Poetry, among many other honors and recognitions. Chief Wassaja was an ordained minister in the Native American Church. He is survived by his wife Regla Gibson of Queens, NY; daughter Sonja Rojas-Hill (Bryant); granddaughters Melissa Gibson-Whitaker (Nigel) and Nikkia Rojas, grandsons Stanley Joshua, Bryant Rojas-Hill all of Poughkeespie, NY and Michael Joshua of Virginia Beach, VA. He also leaves to cherish in his memory 10 great-grand children and a beloved lifelong friend Bobby Ballard as well as a host of family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents William and Marion Gibson. Son, William Gibson III; daughter, Helen Gibson, and grandson Larry McIver and his beloved pet, whom he referred to as his son, Snoopy. Calling hours will be Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Beth-el COGIC 91 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY. The wake will be from 10-11 and funeral service at 11am. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie New York. If you would like to send a condolence or to light a memorial candle, please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com