Homegoing for former CME pastor, decorated war veteran and Olympian Spencer Lee Gilliard Friday in Benton
ATLANTA – Retired CME Pastor and retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Lee Gilliard, who fought in the Korean conflict and Vietnam and served Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Haughton, Bossier City, Mansfield, Logansport, Minden and a host of other cities for 20 years, will be memorialized in Benton Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m.
Gilliard, who served meritoriously in the U.S. Army for 29 years before retiring in 1980, died in Stone Mountain, Georgia, August 17. His home going services will be held at New Zion CME East, 1240 Linton Road, in Benton. He will be eulogized by Revered A.B. Caesar, presiding elder of the Minden District. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, from noon – 8 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Funeral Home, located at 2200 Laurel Street in Shreveport, (318) 221-7337. Family hours will be held from 6 – 8 p.m.
A command sergeant major at the time of his retirement, Gilliard, closed out his military career as a military science instructor at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one of 12 siblings born to Reverend Toby and Marie Gilliard November 2, 1928.
Gilliard became one of the early black enlistees who were designated to serve as "guinea pigs," when they were selected to serve in previously all-white units in Korea following President Harry S. Truman's 1948 issued Executive Order 9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed services. Gilliard was also one of the U.S. soldiers chosen for the dangerous assignment of participating in the nuclear bomb testing done at the Yucca Flat Nevada Test Site, the only place on American soil where nuclear testing took place, in the early 1950s.
A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team as a crack pistol marksman, Gilliard, the only black member of his team, was often forced to live in tents or segregated housing when the team traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio, Ft. Benning, Georgia and other places practice matches and competitions were held during the early 1960s. Despite his unequal and sometimes harsh treatment, Gilliard never had has a harsh word to say about his country and dearly loved the army, his son said.
"My father was the epitome of a dedicated, loyal soldier who loved people and loved his country," said Deric Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, noting that the veteran suffered from Alzheimer's in his later years. "In my eyes and those of many young black men in particular, he was a true American hero."
Following his time in the military, Gilliard returned home to Benton and began his study for the ministry and was ordained in 1985. He developed an outstanding reputation over two decades as a pastor who drove many miles throughout the CME Minden District serving parishioners at the various churches as which he led for the next 20 years.
Among Gilliard's many military commendations, were the Legion of Merit; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal (eight times); National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service Stars; Combat Infantry Badge; United Nations Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Known as "Top Sergeant" and "Little Buddy," Gilliard, who was a twin, is survived by his daughter, Ruth Williams and her family of Albion, Michigan; son Deric Gilliard and his family of Stone Mountain, Georgia and daughter Chandra Denise Gilliard and her family, of Shreveport. Four siblings Kenneth Gilliard of Dallas; Marvie Bowlin of San Diego; Wardell Gilliard of Houston and Toby Marie Anras of Houston, as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, survive him.
ATLANTA – Retired CME Pastor and retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Lee Gilliard, who fought in the Korean conflict and Vietnam and served Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Haughton, Bossier City, Mansfield, Logansport, Minden and a host of other cities for 20 years, will be memorialized in Benton Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m.
Gilliard, who served meritoriously in the U.S. Army for 29 years before retiring in 1980, died in Stone Mountain, Georgia, August 17. His home going services will be held at New Zion CME East, 1240 Linton Road, in Benton. He will be eulogized by Revered A.B. Caesar, presiding elder of the Minden District. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, from noon – 8 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Funeral Home, located at 2200 Laurel Street in Shreveport, (318) 221-7337. Family hours will be held from 6 – 8 p.m.
A command sergeant major at the time of his retirement, Gilliard, closed out his military career as a military science instructor at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one of 12 siblings born to Reverend Toby and Marie Gilliard November 2, 1928.
Gilliard became one of the early black enlistees who were designated to serve as "guinea pigs," when they were selected to serve in previously all-white units in Korea following President Harry S. Truman's 1948 issued Executive Order 9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed services. Gilliard was also one of the U.S. soldiers chosen for the dangerous assignment of participating in the nuclear bomb testing done at the Yucca Flat Nevada Test Site, the only place on American soil where nuclear testing took place, in the early 1950s.
A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team as a crack pistol marksman, Gilliard, the only black member of his team, was often forced to live in tents or segregated housing when the team traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio, Ft. Benning, Georgia and other places practice matches and competitions were held during the early 1960s. Despite his unequal and sometimes harsh treatment, Gilliard never had has a harsh word to say about his country and dearly loved the army, his son said.
"My father was the epitome of a dedicated, loyal soldier who loved people and loved his country," said Deric Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, noting that the veteran suffered from Alzheimer's in his later years. "In my eyes and those of many young black men in particular, he was a true American hero."
Following his time in the military, Gilliard returned home to Benton and began his study for the ministry and was ordained in 1985. He developed an outstanding reputation over two decades as a pastor who drove many miles throughout the CME Minden District serving parishioners at the various churches as which he led for the next 20 years.
Among Gilliard's many military commendations, were the Legion of Merit; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal (eight times); National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service Stars; Combat Infantry Badge; United Nations Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Known as "Top Sergeant" and "Little Buddy," Gilliard, who was a twin, is survived by his daughter, Ruth Williams and her family of Albion, Michigan; son Deric Gilliard and his family of Stone Mountain, Georgia and daughter Chandra Denise Gilliard and her family, of Shreveport. Four siblings Kenneth Gilliard of Dallas; Marvie Bowlin of San Diego; Wardell Gilliard of Houston and Toby Marie Anras of Houston, as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, survive him.
Homegoing for former CME pastor, decorated war veteran and Olympian Spencer Lee Gilliard Friday in Benton
ATLANTA – Retired CME Pastor and retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Lee Gilliard, who fought in the Korean conflict and Vietnam and served Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Haughton, Bossier City, Mansfield, Logansport, Minden and a host of other cities for 20 years, will be memorialized in Benton Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m.
Gilliard, who served meritoriously in the U.S. Army for 29 years before retiring in 1980, died in Stone Mountain, Georgia, August 17. His home going services will be held at New Zion CME East, 1240 Linton Road, in Benton. He will be eulogized by Revered A.B. Caesar, presiding elder of the Minden District. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, from noon – 8 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Funeral Home, located at 2200 Laurel Street in Shreveport, (318) 221-7337. Family hours will be held from 6 – 8 p.m.
A command sergeant major at the time of his retirement, Gilliard, closed out his military career as a military science instructor at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one of 12 siblings born to Reverend Toby and Marie Gilliard November 2, 1928.
Gilliard became one of the early black enlistees who were designated to serve as "guinea pigs," when they were selected to serve in previously all-white units in Korea following President Harry S. Truman's 1948 issued Executive Order 9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed services. Gilliard was also one of the U.S. soldiers chosen for the dangerous assignment of participating in the nuclear bomb testing done at the Yucca Flat Nevada Test Site, the only place on American soil where nuclear testing took place, in the early 1950s.
A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team as a crack pistol marksman, Gilliard, the only black member of his team, was often forced to live in tents or segregated housing when the team traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio, Ft. Benning, Georgia and other places practice matches and competitions were held during the early 1960s. Despite his unequal and sometimes harsh treatment, Gilliard never had has a harsh word to say about his country and dearly loved the army, his son said.
"My father was the epitome of a dedicated, loyal soldier who loved people and loved his country," said Deric Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, noting that the veteran suffered from Alzheimer's in his later years. "In my eyes and those of many young black men in particular, he was a true American hero."
Following his time in the military, Gilliard returned home to Benton and began his study for the ministry and was ordained in 1985. He developed an outstanding reputation over two decades as a pastor who drove many miles throughout the CME Minden District serving parishioners at the various churches as which he led for the next 20 years.
Among Gilliard's many military commendations, were the Legion of Merit; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal (eight times); National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service Stars; Combat Infantry Badge; United Nations Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Known as "Top Sergeant" and "Little Buddy," Gilliard, who was a twin, is survived by his daughter, Ruth Williams and her family of Albion, Michigan; son Deric Gilliard and his family of Stone Mountain, Georgia and daughter Chandra Denise Gilliard and her family, of Shreveport. Four siblings Kenneth Gilliard of Dallas; Marvie Bowlin of San Diego; Wardell Gilliard of Houston and Toby Marie Anras of Houston, as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, survive him.
ATLANTA – Retired CME Pastor and retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Lee Gilliard, who fought in the Korean conflict and Vietnam and served Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Haughton, Bossier City, Mansfield, Logansport, Minden and a host of other cities for 20 years, will be memorialized in Benton Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m.
Gilliard, who served meritoriously in the U.S. Army for 29 years before retiring in 1980, died in Stone Mountain, Georgia, August 17. His home going services will be held at New Zion CME East, 1240 Linton Road, in Benton. He will be eulogized by Revered A.B. Caesar, presiding elder of the Minden District. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, from noon – 8 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Funeral Home, located at 2200 Laurel Street in Shreveport, (318) 221-7337. Family hours will be held from 6 – 8 p.m.
A command sergeant major at the time of his retirement, Gilliard, closed out his military career as a military science instructor at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was one of 12 siblings born to Reverend Toby and Marie Gilliard November 2, 1928.
Gilliard became one of the early black enlistees who were designated to serve as "guinea pigs," when they were selected to serve in previously all-white units in Korea following President Harry S. Truman's 1948 issued Executive Order 9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed services. Gilliard was also one of the U.S. soldiers chosen for the dangerous assignment of participating in the nuclear bomb testing done at the Yucca Flat Nevada Test Site, the only place on American soil where nuclear testing took place, in the early 1950s.
A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team as a crack pistol marksman, Gilliard, the only black member of his team, was often forced to live in tents or segregated housing when the team traveled to Camp Perry, Ohio, Ft. Benning, Georgia and other places practice matches and competitions were held during the early 1960s. Despite his unequal and sometimes harsh treatment, Gilliard never had has a harsh word to say about his country and dearly loved the army, his son said.
"My father was the epitome of a dedicated, loyal soldier who loved people and loved his country," said Deric Gilliard of Stone Mountain, Georgia, noting that the veteran suffered from Alzheimer's in his later years. "In my eyes and those of many young black men in particular, he was a true American hero."
Following his time in the military, Gilliard returned home to Benton and began his study for the ministry and was ordained in 1985. He developed an outstanding reputation over two decades as a pastor who drove many miles throughout the CME Minden District serving parishioners at the various churches as which he led for the next 20 years.
Among Gilliard's many military commendations, were the Legion of Merit; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal (eight times); National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Korean Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service Stars; Combat Infantry Badge; United Nations Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.
Known as "Top Sergeant" and "Little Buddy," Gilliard, who was a twin, is survived by his daughter, Ruth Williams and her family of Albion, Michigan; son Deric Gilliard and his family of Stone Mountain, Georgia and daughter Chandra Denise Gilliard and her family, of Shreveport. Four siblings Kenneth Gilliard of Dallas; Marvie Bowlin of San Diego; Wardell Gilliard of Houston and Toby Marie Anras of Houston, as well as a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, survive him.
Bio by: John Andrew Prime
Sponsored by Ancestry
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