“I don’t know anyone that had a better character than Ted Gill. Ted was a great man. He was always trying to help somebody.” Joe Beaver
The City of Seadrift has lost one of its treasured community members! Ted Gill passed away on January 18 at the age of 93. He will be greatly missed! No one will be able to fill the void that he left.
Ted had a very gracious disposition. He was kind to all and enjoyed a good conversation. His contribution to the City of Seadrift as Mayor and as City Councilman helped Seadrift be what it is today. In 1968 when Ted became the Seadrift Mayor, he was handed the keys to an old grain truck with high sides on it. That truck was the city’s first garbage truck! Durell Gaines and Henry Bennetson were the city’s first solid waste employees. Reflecting on those days Henry Bennetson said, “Ted Gill was a mighty good boss. He treated me and Durell Gaines really good.”
As mayor Ted finished the city’s gray water sewer system. Grey water is wastewater from washing machines, showers, bathtubs, etc. It does not include the wastewater from human waste. Ted went to A&M to learn how to operate the system and taught two employees how to operate it. Ted, also, got the first state water treatment license. Three times Ted went before the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission. Each time he won $250,000 grants for the city.
Ted and the City Council introduced the first Seadrift ambulance to the city. It was a Cadillac Hearse! Ted ended up serving six years as Seadrift Mayor (starting in 1968), eight years as a Seadrift Council member (’87 to ’91), and again as City Councilman from 2000 to 2007.
While Ted was on the City Council the city purchased the current city hall and civic center. Also, as a city councilman, Ted worked to receive a grant for the Seadrift Harbor. Ted, his wife Bootsie, George Miller, and Pat Kennedy traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the grant from the Department of Health and Human Resources.
On January 1, 1992, Ted Gill retired from Union Carbide after 32 years. Ted and his wife Bootsie were very active members of Seadrift’s First Baptist Church. He was a dedicated Christian man who loved the Lord. Ted served on various committees and was sought out because of his wisdom and expertise. He, also, was a 54-year Endowed Master Mason at the Seadrift Masonic Lodge.
Ted was an avid fisherman all the years he lived in Seadrift. Floundering was his favorite way to fish. The last time he went fishing he had to be lifted into the boat on a pallet with a forklift because he couldn’t lift his right leg. Talk about a real fisherman!
Ted was always baking cookies. His favorite cookie was oatmeal raisin. Ted and Bootsie did a lot of canning and cooking through the years. Ted, also, loved to make banana pudding. Aside from cooking Ted was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan.
Ted was predeceased by his beloved wife Bootsie of 69 years and his son Tommy. Ted has one living sister Mary Witten along with Ted and Bootsie’s son Tim and his wife Connie. Ted and Bootsie have one granddaughter Tonia and her husband Bobby (Henson). Tonia and Bobby have two children Tyler and Talen.
I remember as a kid growing up in Seadrift that whenever I heard the name “Ted Gill” his name commanded respect. I wonder how many of us living in this community had the same experience. Those who knew him well will especially miss him. Our condolences to Ted’s family. He will be missed.
-Tanya DeFores
