Gale Norman Cheatham

Gale Norman Cheatham, 85, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on August 21, 2025 in Abilene, Texas.

A Public Visitation will be held from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, August 29, 2025 at Wylie Baptist Church with Mike Harkrider of Wylie Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, Texas. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Gale was born at Ruston, Louisiana to James Irvin Cheatham and Avis Elaine Cheatham on November 30,1939. He went to school at Village, Arkansas and graduated from Village High School. He married Linda Sloan on March 26, 1994 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the Army and Air Force for 33 years and worked as an Electronic Warfare Chief/Crew Chief for the Army and Air Force. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal x3, Air Force Good Conduct Medal x2, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal x2, Vietnam Service Medal x3, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was involved in John Sayles Masonic Lodge 1340 of Abilene, Gideons International, Wylie Baptist Church, National Rifle Association, Texas Rifle Association, International Shooting Team, Bass Masters Association, 5B Fishing Club in California. He received the honors of Past Master, Golden Trowel Award by the Grand Lodge of Texas and Treasurer for 9 years. He was also Deacon of the Wylie Baptist Church.

Gale was preceded in death by Father: James Irvin Cheatham, Mother: Avis Elaine Cheatham, Brother: James Alton Cheatham, Brother: David Leland Smith, Sister: Charlotte Ann Taylor. Wife: Shirley Ann Early Cheatham.

Gale is survived by wife Linda Cheatham, son Thomas and Annick Cheatham, daughter Melissa and Chris Granillo, Grandchildren - Christina and Eric Cheatham, Brianne and Adam Wilkins, Ryan and Ashley Granillo, Great Grandchildren - Landon O'Donley, Christopher, Chase, and Ryley Granillo.