NM ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION
  • HOME
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Preservation
    • The Neon Road
    • Archives
  • Join Us!
    • Become a Member
    • Business Directory
    • Events/Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
  • Tour
    • Motor Tour Information
    • Plan Your New Mexico Trip
    • Maps & Guides
    • New Mexico's Native American Communities
    • Our Rt 66 Sister Associations
  • Magazine
  • Centennial
  • Shop

Bill Gilmore
Route 66 Fan, Preservationist and Raconteur
From Winter 2020-21 of New Mexico Route 66 Magazine

Picture
Picture

Picture
The New Mexico Route 66 Association announces the passing of long time Route 66 Advocate, William (Bill) Gilmore.
William Charles Gilmore, March 13, 1936 — November 11, 2022

​
William passed away on November 11, 2022, at the age of 86 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born on March 13, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Curtis Gilmore and Vera both of whom have preceded him in death.

Bill graduated High School in Odessa, Texas and received a golf scholarship to Oklahoma University. In 1959 he married Sue Chenowith before returning to Albuquerque. Here he worked for Hunt Foods and then later for PNM Electric where he stayed for over 23 years before retiring early. Mr. Gilmore sold real-estate for Ralph Stone Co & Coldwell’s for over 20 years and taught school as a substitute teacher over 10 years primarily at Kennedy Middle School and Temple Baptist Academy. Bill proudly served the National Guard and Army in the early 1960’s.

Bill married Nola Sanchez in 1999 and moved to the Edgewood, NM area where both were active in community service. He worked with the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce and liaison to the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce for years. 

He was a member of the Oklahoma Alumni Association of NM and held offices with the Vintage Motor Car Club and the Old Auto Club where he helped to organize many of the car shows. He was at the very forefront of helping to get Route 66 back on the map and a proud member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association. Through the years he helped to promote and play in various golf tournaments across the Southwest.

He was a lover of golf, music, dancing, playing the guitar and his harmonica. Most of all he was proud of family, friends, and pets.

Bill is survived by his wife Nola Sanchez-Gilmore; children Garry Gilmore and Cheryl, Julie Fusselman and Charlie; stepsons Anthony Sanchez and Randy Stanley. He is preceded in death by his daughter Gayle Gilmore; stepson Michael Stanley.

Looking for New Mexico Route 66 Information? 

Our organization has the largest collection of New Mexico based Route 66 information curated in its collection of
​magazines and historic affiliations.   There are articles, guides, news, and event details as well as important history.
Please contact us if you have a specific question and we'll do our very best to get you the information that you need. 
Donate - Contact Us - Become a Member

Picture
  • HOME
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Preservation
    • The Neon Road
    • Archives
  • Join Us!
    • Become a Member
    • Business Directory
    • Events/Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
  • Tour
    • Motor Tour Information
    • Plan Your New Mexico Trip
    • Maps & Guides
    • New Mexico's Native American Communities
    • Our Rt 66 Sister Associations
  • Magazine
  • Centennial
  • Shop