Joe Louis Gambill Sr., 59, 2209 Linwood Ave., died on Friday, May 5, 2000 at his home after an extended illness.

He was born in Max Meadows, Va., on July 10, 1940, son of the late Samuel Paul Gambill Sr. and Annie L Wright Gambill. He was a resident of Erie for 53 years. He participated in the Little Midget Boxing League and was a 1960 graduate of Academy High School. He had been employed by Brown Bros. Market, Autoclave, Harlin Community Center, Conrail, St. Martin Center, Smith Meter and the Lord Corp. He was a memeber of the former Chesterfield Cllub and enjoyed sports, fishing, dancing and music of all kinds.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel Paul Gambill Jr. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Dora Jones Gambill of Erie; four sons, Joe Louis Gambill Jr. and his wife Rhonda, Samuel Paul Gambill Sr., Everett "Donnie" Gambill and Clifford Gambill, all of Erie; four daughters, Luvetria Gambill, Janice Gambill, Veronica Gambill and Akwete Gambill, all of Erie; four brothers, Daniel Brown and his wife, Mattie, of Dublin, Va. and Vernon Gambill Sr. and his wife Ellen, Clarence Gambill and Harry Gambill Sr. and his wife, Carol, all of Erie; six sisters, Marry Francis McIntosh and her husband, Jimmy, Margret Polk and her husband, R.D., Joyce Watson and her husband George, Carol Powell and Monica Pullman and her husband Lionel, all of Erie and Yvonne Moody of Silver Springs, Md.; 30 gandchildren, including Derek Gambill, whom he helped raise; two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the St. James A.M.E. Church, 236 E. 11th St., Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the church Thursday at 1 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Gerald Cooper. Burial will be at Erie Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Road.