Gerald William “Billy York” Pankop, 90, Wabash, died at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, at Parkview Wabash Hospital. He was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Kendallville, to William and Ruth (Wilkerson) Pankop.

Gerald graduated in 1947 from Roann High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Josephine Laura Howard, in Roann on Sept. 7, 1947; she died Feb. 23, 2003. He served in the US Army at the Battle of the Bulge in the 99th Infantry Division, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He worked 13 years for GenCorp and 20 years as the parts manager at Dorais Chevrolet, both in Wabash. He retired in 1986. Gerald was a member of the Roann United Methodist Church, but most recently attended the Christian Heritage Church in Wabash.

He was a member of The American Legion, The Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and The Wildlife Club, all of Wabash. His memberships also included the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Disabled American Veterans, the Fraternal Order of Police, American Huey 369 Association, and the National Rifle Association. Gerald’s grandchildren were his pride and joy! He loved going to garage sales and being outside, fishing, wildlife, and flowers.

He is survived by his four children: Rita (Don) Griffith, Peru; Gary Pankop, Tulsa, Okla.; and twins: Craig (Diane) Pankop, Broken Arrow, Okla; and Kaye Day, Peru; half-brother: Arthur Pankop, Kendallville; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents; grandsons: Scott and Timothy Griffith; his great-grandson: Jason Bell; stepbrother: David York; and half-sister: Margerite Pemelman; and his stepfather: Charles Lavern York.

Funeral services will be held at Christian Heritage Church, Wabash, at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, with Pastor Tim Prater officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Valor at Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.

Preferred memorial is D.A.V. Transportation or Christian Heritage Church.