WILLIAMSBURG — For those who knew Gil Granger, two things stand out: his endless well of kindness and his love for his city.
Granger, who died on Saturday, “truly loved his community, and especially the City of Williamsburg,” Mayor Doug Pons said. He was 87.
During his many decades in Williamsburg, Granger served on a number of boards, commissions and community organizations, including City Council, which he served on for 16 years, and the Williamsburg-James City County School Board. When he ran for council, it was the slogan: “Get Involved Locally,” a play on the first letters of his name. He served as mayor from 1996 to 1998.
For Pons, Granger was a longtime mentor.
“Gil and my father worked at the King’s Arms (Tavern) together during their days at William & Mary, so I’ve known him all my life,” Pons said. “He’s certainly been a mentor of mine and helped me in so many ways.”
After graduating from high school in Philadelphia in 1953, Granger came to Williamsburg to attend William & Mary, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting, served as a photographer for the Flat Hat college newspaper and met his eventual wife, Connie. After stints in Atlanta and Texas, Granger and his wife settled in the city and married at Wren Chapel in 1958.
Beyond his public service, Granger worked for an accounting firm in the city before opening his own firm. He was a member of organizations like the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club and also worked in real estate.
As he did with just about every facet of his life, Granger left an indelible mark on the local Kiwanis Club chapter. Gary Ripple, who serves as the executive director of the Williamsburg Kiwanis Foundation, first met Granger in the 1980s upon joining the Colonial Capital Kiwanis Club.
In an email to foundation members, Ripple called Granger a legendary pillar of the community and a “once-in-a-generation influence on everyone he knew.”
“His imprint will last as long as there is a place known as Williamsburg,” Ripple said.
Ripple last saw Granger about a month ago, when he visited Granger at home to deliver an annual letter inviting club members to donate. Granger, whose first check established the club’s tradition of Lead Donors, was quick with his generosity and handed Ripple a check that Ripple interpreted as Granger saying, “This is my gift to the future of our town.”
“We will all be better off because we knew a truly great man,” Ripple said.
When former Gazette publisher and vice president Bill O’Donovan worked for the newspaper, he spent a long time covering Granger as a public figure. What struck O’Donovan was Granger’s immense kindness.
“He never spoke ill of anyone,” O’Donovan said.
Regardless of whether articles covering him were positive or negative, Granger always looked at the bright side and never complained. He was so kind, O’Donovan said, that Gazette reporters could reach out to him for a comment on anyone and he would always have something specifically positive to say.
Even in his later years, as he dealt with ongoing health problems, Granger continued to stay positive and always remained a willing ear to anyone who might reach out.
“His impact on the city will long be felt and I am extremely grateful to his friendship and counsel,” Pons said.
Sian Wilkerson, 757-342-6616, [email protected]
