Don Gilliam, age 56, lifelong resident of Tyler, passed on Feb. 20, 2009, in a local hospital.
He was born on July 29, 1952, in Tyler and was the son of Bobby and Paula Zorn Gilliam. He was preceded in death by father and stepmother, Bobby and Betty Hunt Gilliam of Tyler, and uncles, Willis and Hub Bridges of Tyler.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, SSG Trent and Karen Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany, and Blake and Valarie Gilliam of Tyler; and daughter, Lacey Gilliam of Tyler. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Angela Rhoades and Janie Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany; Breeanna, Skyler and Tyler Gilliam of Tyler; brother, Glenn Gilliam; two sisters, Cindy Leschorn of Tyler, and Donna Garza of Tyler. He is also survived by one aunt, Mattie Mauritzen of Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don worked for Cotton Belt Railroad for 17 years in the Maintenance of Way Department. He was also owner of Cowboys private club in Tyler. He then went into the trucking business, first as a driver and then as a general manager. His job at the time of his death was as general manager of TMS Delivery Inc. in Tyler.
He will be remembered most for his zest for life and a rare gift for story-telling. No one could tell a joke like Don. He was a great father, a loving "Grand Poopaw" and a true friend. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bryant Marquess, Darrel Nunn, Herschel Sloan, Rhett Rieken, Jimmy Potter, Matt Miller and Tommy Woods.
Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Union Grove Cemetery south of Jacksonville with the Rev. Marty Dunbar officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.
He was born on July 29, 1952, in Tyler and was the son of Bobby and Paula Zorn Gilliam. He was preceded in death by father and stepmother, Bobby and Betty Hunt Gilliam of Tyler, and uncles, Willis and Hub Bridges of Tyler.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, SSG Trent and Karen Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany, and Blake and Valarie Gilliam of Tyler; and daughter, Lacey Gilliam of Tyler. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Angela Rhoades and Janie Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany; Breeanna, Skyler and Tyler Gilliam of Tyler; brother, Glenn Gilliam; two sisters, Cindy Leschorn of Tyler, and Donna Garza of Tyler. He is also survived by one aunt, Mattie Mauritzen of Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don worked for Cotton Belt Railroad for 17 years in the Maintenance of Way Department. He was also owner of Cowboys private club in Tyler. He then went into the trucking business, first as a driver and then as a general manager. His job at the time of his death was as general manager of TMS Delivery Inc. in Tyler.
He will be remembered most for his zest for life and a rare gift for story-telling. No one could tell a joke like Don. He was a great father, a loving "Grand Poopaw" and a true friend. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bryant Marquess, Darrel Nunn, Herschel Sloan, Rhett Rieken, Jimmy Potter, Matt Miller and Tommy Woods.
Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Union Grove Cemetery south of Jacksonville with the Rev. Marty Dunbar officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.
Don Gilliam, age 56, lifelong resident of Tyler, passed on Feb. 20, 2009, in a local hospital.
He was born on July 29, 1952, in Tyler and was the son of Bobby and Paula Zorn Gilliam. He was preceded in death by father and stepmother, Bobby and Betty Hunt Gilliam of Tyler, and uncles, Willis and Hub Bridges of Tyler.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, SSG Trent and Karen Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany, and Blake and Valarie Gilliam of Tyler; and daughter, Lacey Gilliam of Tyler. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Angela Rhoades and Janie Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany; Breeanna, Skyler and Tyler Gilliam of Tyler; brother, Glenn Gilliam; two sisters, Cindy Leschorn of Tyler, and Donna Garza of Tyler. He is also survived by one aunt, Mattie Mauritzen of Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don worked for Cotton Belt Railroad for 17 years in the Maintenance of Way Department. He was also owner of Cowboys private club in Tyler. He then went into the trucking business, first as a driver and then as a general manager. His job at the time of his death was as general manager of TMS Delivery Inc. in Tyler.
He will be remembered most for his zest for life and a rare gift for story-telling. No one could tell a joke like Don. He was a great father, a loving "Grand Poopaw" and a true friend. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bryant Marquess, Darrel Nunn, Herschel Sloan, Rhett Rieken, Jimmy Potter, Matt Miller and Tommy Woods.
Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Union Grove Cemetery south of Jacksonville with the Rev. Marty Dunbar officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.
He was born on July 29, 1952, in Tyler and was the son of Bobby and Paula Zorn Gilliam. He was preceded in death by father and stepmother, Bobby and Betty Hunt Gilliam of Tyler, and uncles, Willis and Hub Bridges of Tyler.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, SSG Trent and Karen Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany, and Blake and Valarie Gilliam of Tyler; and daughter, Lacey Gilliam of Tyler. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Angela Rhoades and Janie Gilliam of Vilseck, Germany; Breeanna, Skyler and Tyler Gilliam of Tyler; brother, Glenn Gilliam; two sisters, Cindy Leschorn of Tyler, and Donna Garza of Tyler. He is also survived by one aunt, Mattie Mauritzen of Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don worked for Cotton Belt Railroad for 17 years in the Maintenance of Way Department. He was also owner of Cowboys private club in Tyler. He then went into the trucking business, first as a driver and then as a general manager. His job at the time of his death was as general manager of TMS Delivery Inc. in Tyler.
He will be remembered most for his zest for life and a rare gift for story-telling. No one could tell a joke like Don. He was a great father, a loving "Grand Poopaw" and a true friend. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bryant Marquess, Darrel Nunn, Herschel Sloan, Rhett Rieken, Jimmy Potter, Matt Miller and Tommy Woods.
Visitation will be at Lloyd James Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Union Grove Cemetery south of Jacksonville with the Rev. Marty Dunbar officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.
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