North Central honors William Gossell ’54 with Outstanding Alumni Award

North Central College is honoring Major General William Gossell of Farmers Branch, Texas, with a 2014 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Gossell and four others will be honored during the College’s Homecoming Reunion Celebration from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the College’s Residence Hall/Recreation Center, 440 S. Brainard St.

Gossell is a 1954 graduate of North Central College who has led a successful career in the aviation industry and in the U.S. armed forces, proudly serving his country as a pilot for nearly three decades, both on active duty and in the reserves.

He earned four letters in three sports at North Central College. After graduation, he began flight training as a naval aviation cadet. He was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955 and received his wings in 1956. Gossell was on active duty for four years, including service in the Far East. He continued to serve in the military reserves and was honored to be named a general by the Marine Corps in 1981. He also pursued a civilian career in aviation insurance and most recently was president of Southern Aviation Consultants.

In his spare time, Gossell has been an active member of several professional organizations, including Marine Corps Aviation Association, Navy League of the United States, Reserve Officers Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Marine Metroplex Council.

After retirement, Gossell continued to work long hours in the community, taking on the challenge of collecting and distributing toys to thousands of children as chair of the Dallas-Fort Worth Marine Toys for Tots Program. He was also an organizer of the charity Dallas Military Ball and an elder at his church.

Gossell has stayed connected to North Central College through his generosity and return visits to campus over the years. He and his wife Marjorie recently created the Gossell Endowed Scholarship at North Central College. They are the parents of two adult sons.

Others being honored during North Central’s Homecoming are Outstanding Alumni Award recipients Becky Anderson of Naperville and Jeff Swallow of Naperville. Wade Hicks of Framingham, Mass., will receive an Alumni Recognition Award and the Rev. Tom Babler of Naperville will receive a Wall of Witness honor.