Gilbert Lofton Granger, husband of Ann Cornelia "Connie" Granger, passed away peacefully in his longtime home of Williamsburg, Virginia on Saturday morning June 17, 2023.  Gil was surrounded by loved ones; he was 7 days shy of turning 88.

Gilbert was born in Charleston, SC June 25, 1935, the second son of Warren Burnham Granger and Dorothy Lofton Granger. His older brother by 8 years was Warren Burnham Granger Jr.  Growing up during The Great Depression and WWII Gil traveled with his family and made many memories.  Moving to Philadelphia in 1946 Gil attended William Penn Charter School 1946-1951, followed by Central High School graduating in 1953.  Gil grew up in Philly playing marbles and escaping the heat by attending the movies.  A pastime he grew to love.  He saw his last movie here in town with fellow movie enthusiast, Steve Ewell, on Tuesday June 13, 2023, taking advantage of discount Tuesday and enjoying popcorn and a coke.  When not at school or the movies Gil enjoyed baseball.  He would watch sometimes through the knothole of the fence or earn admission by selling newspapers for a nickel.  As Gil got older, he utilized the stats of sports as a common ice breaker for any conversation. Up until a few years ago he traveled with his family members on a mission to visit all 30 ballparks.  He accomplished visiting 18, before making the decision to live that mission vicariously and let his family bring the experience home to him, now with only 2 parks left.  No surprise Gil owned a minor league baseball team in the 80's here in Hampton.  The Peninsula Pilots was a fun endeavor he shared with his oldest child, Gilinda.  She enjoyed the managing end of the operation while Dad just enjoyed the people, the players, the sound of the ball cracking against the bat and of course, the popcorn and coke.

Deciding to attend The College William & Mary, Gil came to Williamsburg in 1953.  Standing in the Wrenn courtyard of W&M Gil met his soon to be wife Connie.   After graduating they were married at the Wrenn Chapel on September 25, 1958.  Settling in Williamsburg Gil and Connie raised a family (Gilinda, GrayAnn and Gregory) and became a part of Williamsburg being active in the community, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, multiple service organizations, social clubs and serving on various committees and boards including city council as a member and eventually as Mayor of Williamsburg.  While he enjoyed the movies and baseball, he found his greatest joy in spending time with and helping his family, his community, his friends and clients, something he did every day until his last breath.

As an adult Gil chose accounting for his main career establishing his own firm Granger, Lent and Hawthorne. That said, his interest and endeavors reached far beyond being a CPA and somewhat difficult to put in a nutshell. Gil served in the National Guard and Army reserves 1958-1981. He had his hand in real estate, multiple corporations, president of WMBG radio, served on many boards and held multiple public offices. Beginning in 1969 with the Williamsburg Board of Adjustments and Appeals and later Williamsburg James City County School Board followed by Williamsburg City Council and City of Williamsburg Mayor. His dedication to Williamsburg and desire to serve brought him to participate in over 30 civic organizations. WMBG afforded Gil the opportunity to bring music and local news to the community. He loved music as much as his love for his W&M alma mater and was proud over the years to broadcast the W&M sports. As you can imagine Gil earned many merits of distinction and awards over the years. At the time of his passing Gil was the oldest serving Kiwanian to the Williamsburg organization. Obviously, Gil was a smart man and being a member of Mensa and he was proud of that distinction. It is agreed with all his accomplishments he did not need a piece of paper to prove it but rather he did that with his actions in the way he lived and shared his life.

Gilbert is survived by his wife, (of 65 years), Ann Cornelia "Connie" Hill Granger, his daughter GrayAnn Granger Ewell (Steve), son, Gregory Hill Granger (Lisa) grandchildren: James Ewell (Paige), Jillian Ewell Edwards (Jeff), Gabrielle Granger Pressley (David), Graham Granger, Grace Granger, Gwen Rogers Etges (Kyla), Eve Rogers, Vicki Pavlova Rikkola (Glenn) and their two sons Henry and Oliver; nephew Blair Granger (Lori) and niece MaryAnne Granger Perkins (Tom) along with their respective children.

Gil was predeceased by his father Warren Burnham Granger, his mother Dorothy Lofton Granger, his brother Warren Burnham Granger Jr as well as Gil and Connie's oldest child, Gilinda Dawn Granger Rogers.

A funeral service will be held at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church on Sunday July 2, 2023, at 3:00pm.  A reception will follow at the family home in Williamsburg.  A private interment will be held in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Williamsburg.

Live streaming of the service will be available at MYWPC.org for those unable to attend.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg Foundation c/o Williamsburg Community Foundation, 1323 Jamestown Road Suite 103 Williamsburg, VA 23185.