William Gossell

Class Year: 1954
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 2014

Major General William Gossell ’54 has led a successful career in the aviation industry and in the United States armed forces, proudly serving his country as a pilot for nearly three decades, both on active duty and in the reserves. Bill 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. Bill 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, he was president of Southern Aviation Consultants.

In his spare time, Bill 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, Bill 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.

Bill 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 and live in Farmers Branch, Texas.