L.S. Gilliam, Jr

Leonard Statham Gilliam, Jr. lifelong resident of Statesville died October 15, after several months of declining health. Bill was born in Statesville June 11, 1924 to Marie Moseley and Leonard S. Gilliam, Sr. He was educated in the Statesville City Schools graduating in 1940. Bill then spent a year at The McCallie School before attending UNC-CH. In December 1941, he volunteered for duty in the US Navy in WWII. He served in the Pacific theatre achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. Bill resumed college studies at Carolina, graduating with a degree in economics in 1948. Bill lettered in track and field and boxing and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was an avid Tar Heel fan.



Bill joined the family furniture business, Gillam Furniture Co., where he spent his entire working career. He led the company as President beginning in 1964 until his retirement in 1986. On April 6,1950, he married Mary Darrell Turner at First Presbyterian Church. His wife Mary predeceased him in 2008. Bill and Mary raised their 4 children Mary Frances, Nancy Turner, Julia Christian and L.S. Gilliam III who also attended Statesville City Schools. In addition, he is survived by 2 granddaughters Elizabeth G. Hedgepath and Mary Patricia Gilliam. He is also survived by his sister Marie G. Park of Greenville, SC.



Bill was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder and was a member of the Young Men's Bible Class. He served his community on the Statesville Recreation Commission, Statesville City Council, Statesville Planning and Zoning Board, Salvation Army Board, and Furniture Distributors Board of Directors. Bill served as President of Statesville Rotary Club, was a Paul Harris Fellow and lifelong member.



Visitation will be Wednesday, October 17 at 2:30- 4:30PM at Nicholson Funeral Home. Burial will be at 11 AM Thursday, October 18, at Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be at 3 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, Statesville, N.C. The family will receive friends at the church after the service.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville NC 28677 or to the Salvation Army, 1361 Caldwell St., Statesville, NC 28677.



Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Bill Gillam, Jr.



Donations may be made to:

First Presbyterian Church125 N. Meeting St., Statesville NC 28677Salvation Army1361 Caldwell St., Statesville NC 28677