Bruce F Gillam Sr.

Bruce Gillam, Sr. Obituary Bruce Gillam, Sr, age 87, of Mitchell, SD, died Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial Services will 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Beach United Methodist Church in Howard. Military Honors will be provided by the Howard American Legion. Visitation will be 5 to 7 P.M. Friday at the church.
Bruce was born in Sturgis, SD in the upstairs of the house that was Poker Alice's Saloon - September 8, 1937 to Earl and Velma (Clute) Gillam. He attended school in Argonne SD, graduating from Howard, SD in 1956.
Bruce entered the South Dakota National Guard in 1955 then entering the United States Army in May of 1956 the day after high school graduation. He wore his uniform for over 30 years, in over 28 countries, during peace and war, in combat with the 82nd Airborne Division and assigned to the Pentagon's Special Warfare Group. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Ranger Arc, Master Parachute Badge and 38 more distinguished decorations. He was a leader, commander, advisor, instructor, counselor and recruiter whose door was always open. Rangers lead the way! He retired from the military in January 1991.
He married Marilyn Cavigielli – his grade school sweetheart in Pipestone, MN on June 6, 1957. They had four children – Jeffrey, Natalie, Bruce Jr., and Laura. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
Throughout his life his leadership carried over, he always stepped up when needed, while supporting and encouraging his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as countless youth across South Dakota. He held true to the belief we should always make things better for our next generation as a patriot, husband, father and "Grandpa".
Survivors include his three children Natalie (Mike) Piehl of Mitchell, SD, Bruce Jr. (Marlene) of Mitchell, SD, Laura Gillam of Mitchell, SD; eleven grandchildren: Jeff (Sandy) Gillam, Jesse (Michelle) Gillam, Michael Piehl, Heather Piehl, Amanda (Jerrad) Hales, Chandra (Tony) Niewenhuis, Quinton (McKayla Tollefson) Koch, Kyle (Megan) Koch, Lucy (Mark) Gill, Emily (Karl) Almjeld, Michael Duffey; 25 Great-Grandchildren; as well as his honorary grandchildren which was every child in South Dakota he encouraged in sports or life that called him "Grandpa". One brother, George (Marilyn) Gillam, of Spokane, WA, two sisters, Jen (Thom) Howdeshell, of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Wendy Gerean, of Coeur d'Alene, ID; two sisters-in-law, Eunice Gillam, of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Barbara (Jim) Kern, of Batesville, AR; several nieces, nephews and cousins
Bruce was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn on September 7, 2007, an infant son Jeffrey, his parents, stepfather Floyd Stevens, stepmother Freda Ommen Gillam, a brother, Delbert Gillam, a sister, Alice White, four stepbrothers, two stepsisters and several other in-laws.
Services
Visitation
Friday
May 9, 2025
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Beach United Methodist Church
205 N Pleasant Ave
Howard, South Dakota 57349
Memorial Service
Saturday
May 10, 2025
10:30 AM
Beach United Methodist Church
205 N Pleasant Ave
Howard, South Dakota 57349