James Gilliam

James W. Gilliam - 10/24/2001 James W. Gilliam - 10/24/2001 JAMES W. GILLIAM James William Gilliam, 82, of Gering, Nebraska, died October 23, 2001, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls following a second open heart surgery. His first open heart surgery was September 11, 1992 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born February 22, 1919 at Hay Springs, Nebraska to John George Gilliam and Dolly Permelia Chapman Gilliam. He was the ninth of ten children and grew up and attended schools in Hary Springs. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1942 and served during World War II as an Aviation Radioman Second Class. He served on NTC, San Diego, California; NAS, Seattle, Washington; NAS, Whidbey Island, Washington; NAS, Durch Harbor, Alaska; NAS, Alameda, California; and NAB, Saipan, M.I. He was honorably discharged in December 1946. He married Lila J. Lockmon on January 4, 1948 at Chadron, Nebraska. They made their home on the Lars Aska Farm north of Rushbille. Three daughters were born to this union, Phonda, Caryl and Cheryl. He farmed and raised cattle there for many years. In 1967, they moved into Rushville and lived there for 17 years. James worked as a yard boss at Sheridan County Livestock in Rushville for 17 years. In 1984, they moved back to the farm. In July 1998, they sold the farm and moved to Gering, NE. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and especially loved being with his family and keeping in touch with both family and friends by e-mail. In 1996 and 1997 he was able to visit relatives in Cuba, Missouri which he had never met before. This was the area where his father was born and raised. He is survived by his wife Lila of Gering, NE, daughters Rhonda J. Brower and husband Bob of Gering, NE, Caryl R. Wilson and husband Bill of Idaho Falls, ID, Cheryl K. Sikes and husband Tracy of Mead, WA; grandchildren Cathy J. Warnke of Omaha, NE, Heather D. Figueroa and husband Jorge of Ft. Lewis , WA; Bradley Janssen and wife Lisa of Rushville, NE; Amanda K. Janssen of Idaho Falls, ID and Alison R. Hoffman of Mead, WA; great grandchildren Brioni Elizabeth Rae Thompson, Kaydre Ayannah Thompson, R. Jaedon James Thompson, Dylan James Janssen, and Siyenna Dawn Figueroa. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Arlie, Lester, Johnny; and 6 sisters; Opal, Josephine, Wilma, Eunice, Lena Fay, and an infant sister. Funeral Services will be Monday, October 28, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chamberlain Funeral Home, in Rushville, Nebraska with Reverend Trucano officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Nebraska. Wood Funeral Home of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Chamberlain Funeral Home of Rushville, Nebraska were in charge of the arrangements. [ Previous Obituary - Dustin R. Johnson | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Jared "Bubba" Carlson ]