Otis Mathews Gilliam III

About

Virginia Tech

FUNERAL HOME

Oakey’s South Chapel

4257 Brambleton Ave.

Roanoke, Virginia

Otis Gilliam Obituary

Otis Mathews (George) Gilliam III, 59, of Roanoke, Va., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. He was the Manager of Tinnell's Finer Foods. In addition, he played football for North Cross High School and attended Virginia Tech where he was a member of the Highty Tighties Marching Band. He was also a member of Lakeland Lodge, #190 A.F. & A.M., the Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Kazim Shrine Temple. George was a Christian and a loving father. He is survived by his children, Mary Margaret Dougan Gilliam and Andrew Gardner Gilliam; his brother, Herbert D. (Butch) Gilliam; his second mother, Margaret (Maggie) Blankenship; and the mother of his children, Della D. Gilliam. Graveside services will be held at noon on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, at Oakey's South Chapel on Brambleton Ave., 540-989-3131.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Roanoke Times from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Otis Gilliam

10 Entries

April 22, 2010

To Otis Gilliam's family,

I am so sorry about your father and I know you must miss him terribly. He and I were friends way back at Crystal Spring Elementary. He had a serious accident and was hospitalized for a long time. It was the first time I really understood that it was possible to lose a friend as young as Otis. I was so worried that we would lose him but we didn't -- eventually, he was fine.

A bit later, Otis and I traded disks (those silver medallions with our respective names on it), not because we were romantically linked, but because we were the last two who hadn't and we wanted to join in the fun (even though we didn't really get it).

My husband and I moved to Roanoke in '98 and one day in Tinnell's, Otis said, "Are you Lou Bailes?" I was so surprised and delighted that it was Otis! It was so good to see him.

All of you are in my thoughts. Know that your dad had such a good heart and was well-liked by so many people.

Elizabeth ("Lou") Bailes
Roanoke, VA

Bill Houck

April 18, 2010

Dear Mary Margaret & Andrew,

I often think fondly of your dad, Otis, who I call simply "O" or "Big O". Like Bill Wimmer, "O" & I played North Cross sports together and as seniors we were particularly close on the football field. I was the kicker & he was my holder and "O's" very good buddy, Tim Shepherd was our center. In our last game as seniors we played Floyd County High (a school 10 times bigger than NC). We won the game by 1 point (14-13) as Tim snapped the ball to your dad, who held it perfectly & somehow I lucked it through the up-rights. While I tell you about that outcome, it was your dad's unmatched leadership that day that really won the game; he held us together in the huddle, keeping the whole team motivated. We were down 13-0 until the last 9 minutes of the 4th quarter when we were able to score. We could always count on "Big O" to say something to get us going...he came through!

I was fortunate to stay friends with "O" over the years after NC and at our reunion in the fall of 2008, we met at school to watch the game & he told all kinds of North Cross "WAR STORIES," really cracking us up over dinner. This past October, we had our 40th reunion, but unfortunately he couldn't attend. I wish he had been able to be with us.

I just pulled out our 1969 year book and read how he signed off his personal note to me before we graduated - "To a true friend. Otis."

There are far more people than I whose lives Otis Gilliam touched that would love to have been able to tell him, "Otis, you are a true friend."

Sincerely,

Bill Houck
Palm Desert, CA

April 17, 2010

I'm so very sorry to learn of Otis' passing. I had the great pleasure to instruct Otis in flying a Beech Bonanza (N3702Q) many years ago. Otis was a very good pilot and I enjoyed his company and flying with him. Otis had many friends at the airport and will always be missed.

Extending my deepest sympathy and condolances to his family.

Bob Reed, Roanoke, VA

Bob DeVaughn

April 16, 2010

Growing up, I spent almost as much time in the Gilliam home as I did in my own. My sorrow is tempered only by the flood of good memories I have of George. He had a giant heart. I had moved away just as he was starting his family, but my thoughts are with you all.

Diane Goodlett

April 16, 2010

I remember when George, my brother Bob, & I would pitch a tent in the back yard & eat Spring onions straight out of the garden. Another special time was when we were lead thru the woods in the Fall looking for candy & seeing the ghost (Butch) running ahead of us & the grapevine broke sending one of us down the hill ! Later in years came the daiquiri experiments in the Gilliam kitchen.
I pray that you'll find Peace,Strength & Comfort in the memories that
you have of him.
Diane DeVaughn Goodlett

Bill Wimmer

April 16, 2010

I am so saddened to learn of Otis' death. He and I were childhood friends and went on to play basketball and football at North Cross together. Otis always had a smile ready, and saw the humor in just about everything. I'll miss you, Otis.

Angela Bowell

April 16, 2010

Mary Margret and Andrew, I spent a lot of time with your Dad when I was a child. He was good friends with my Mother and she introduced your Mom to him. I always remember him to be full of laughter and that he loved life. I am so sorry for your loss. Your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Mickey & Brenda Plunkett

April 16, 2010

Mary Margaret and Andrew, no bond is greater than that between a parent and child. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time for the loss of your Dad.

April 16, 2010

Hello to Otis's Family from a high school friend, My name is Ginny and Otis was a good friend at North Cross. I am very sorry to hear of his passing on to the other side. We did not keep in touch after 1969 but to learn that Otis has died is very sad for me and I know you must be devastated. Words don't come easy to express how I feel so let me just say I am very sorry for your loss.
Respectfully, Ginny White Alberts

Sharon Bohon

April 16, 2010

I will miss talking to you George.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results