Howard Eugene "Gump" Cilley Sr. was born August 20, 1925 in Dundee, Michigan. He was the son of Irene (Getty) and Harold Cilley.

He married Hazel G. Souza on November 5, 1949 and they had five children:

1. Howard Eugene Cilley, Jr.

2. Patricia Irene (Cilley) Gauss

3. Barbara Cilley

4. Donna Cilley

5. Harvey Cilley

During World War II, he served in the Army and later was the owner/operator of Gump's Auto Parts in Dundee.

Howard died on April 16, 1988 at the age of 62 in Munising, Alger County, Michigan. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Dundee.