Billy Gilliam

With great sadness, the family of Billy Raymond Gilliam announces the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend on September 10, 2026, following his courageous battle with cancer.

Billy, age 77, was the first-born son of William Edward “Bill” Gilliam and Millie Beatrice Winters Gilliam. A lifelong resident of Bryant, Alabama, Billy’s military career would take him and his family far from home many times throughout his life.

On July 17, 1967, in the sunny state of Florida, Billy was sworn into the United States Army by his late uncle, Master Sergeant William A. Tyndall. It marked the beginning of a distinguished military career that would span more than 20 years and include two tours of duty in Vietnam, service overseas in Germany and Korea, and assignments throughout the United States.

Following basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Billy attended aviation school at Fort Eustis, Virginia. After completing his training, he was stationed at Hunter Army Air Base in Savannah, Georgia, until August 1968, when he was deployed to Vietnam for his first tour of duty.

In December of that year, Billy was wounded during a combat mission and returned stateside to Maxwell Air Base in Montgomery, Alabama. For the injuries he sustained in service to his country, he was awarded the Purple Heart. In January 1969, following his medical leave, Billy returned to active duty at Rucker Army Airfield, where he remained until 1972, when he returned to Vietnam for his second tour.

Following his second tour in Vietnam, Billy was stationed at Ft. Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, where he served as a crew chief on the 498 Medivac until 1973. In 1974, he was deployed to Germany and assigned to the 2nd Armor Cavalry. Billy and his family remained there until 1979, when his father’s battle with cancer brought him back to the United States and to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.

In 1985, Billy was once again deployed overseas, this time to Korea. He returned to Ft. Campbell in 1986 and retired from the United States Army on August 31, 1987, at the rank of E6 Staff Sergeant, completing 20 years and 45 days of honorable military service.

Throughout his military career, Billy served as a helicopter crew chief, door gunner, mechanic, and platoon sergeant. His assignments gave him extensive knowledge and experience with the Huey, OH-6 Scout, AH-1S Cobra, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. A naturally gifted mechanic, Billy possessed the remarkable ability to diagnose an engine problem simply by listening to its sound. His dedication, skill, and leadership earned him numerous awards and commendations throughout his career.

Billy’s mechanical talents continued to serve him well after his retirement from the Army. He and his late brother, Bobby, opened B & B Auto, a business Billy continued to operate for many years following his brother’s passing.

For all that Billy accomplished during his life, however, his greatest legacy was found in the people he loved. He was a Christian, a devoted husband and father, a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, a loving brother, and a faithful friend to many.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Beatrice Gilliam; son, Tommy Gilliam; grandson, Samuel Whited; brother, Bobby Gilliam; infant sister, Ruby Ann Gilliam; and grandparents, Claude and Myrtle Gilliam and Frank and Plona Winters.

He is survived by the light of his life, his devoted and steadfast wife, Kathy Gilliam; sons, Jeremy (Christina) Gilliam and Anthony Gilliam; daughters, Katelin (James) Whited and Misty (Nick) Wooten; sister, Betty (Rev. Charles) Edmonds; grandchildren, Dalton (Lauren) Gilliam, Bodie (Grace) Gilliam, Brooke (Brett) Gilliam Alexander, Brittany, Ashley, Tristan, Colton and Ty Gilliam, Logan Wooten, and Elijah and Greyson Whited; great-grandchildren, Brady Alexander, Tate and Tripp Gilliam, and Paisley Gilliam; uncle, Claude Eugene “Gene” Gilliam; niece, Kim Gilliam Gamble; nephew, Stacy Gilliam; cousins and special friends, Malcolm, Teresa and Eli Hartline, Brent Hill, Norman Fetter, Butch, Wade and Mike Clepper, Dorothy Hartline, and Korin Yang “Youngie” Plaster.

Billy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His life was one of service—to his country, his family, and those around him—and leaves behind a story worthy of remembering.

When the story of your life is written – what will it say?

A funeral service honoring and celebrating Billy’s life will be held at 1:00 PM ET on Monday, September 14, 2026, in the Bryant Chapel of Moore Funeral Home. Brother Charles Edmonds and Brother Wayne Winters will officiate, and military honors will be performed. Following the service, Mr. Gilliam will be laid to rest at Oak Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, September 13, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM ET and on Monday from 11:00 AM until the service hour.

Serving as pallbearers are Stacy Gilliam, Dalton Gilliam, Bodie Gilliam, Malcolm Hartline, Eli Hartline, Brent Hill, Mike Clepper, and Wade Clepper.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are his great-grandsons: Colton Gilliam, Ty Gilliam, Tate and Tripp Gilliam, Brady Alexander, Elijah and Greyson Whited; and special friends, Norman Fetter and Butch Clepper.