Millard Thomas Gilliam

Millard Gilliam died September 16, 2013, two days after celebrating his 92nd birthday. He was born September 14, 1921, to Mansel Edgar and Della Mitchener Gilliam. He grew up on a farm in Butler County and was a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1940.

Like many of his generation, Millard served in the United States Army during World War II. Following military service, he pursued a career as a marine engineer on towboats on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, working for Midwest Towing Company which was later acquired by Cargill, Inc.

After his retirement in 1985, he had more time to enjoy fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities. He especially enjoyed his involvement in beautification projects with the Poplar Bluff Community Betterment Council. He also continued his support of the historic Marble Hill Cemetery, having served on its governing board for nearly fifty years.

He was a member of the First Christian Church and its Men's Bible Class. He pointed with pride to the fact that, as a young man, he attended the same Bible Class with his father.

Millard was preceded in death by Nadine Warren Gilliam, his wife of sixty-five years, and by four siblings, Horace Gilliam, Wilma Bounds, Ruby Gilliam, and Lillian Clanahan.

He is survived by two daughters, Carol Gilliam Green of Topeka, Kansas, and Sandra Lynn Nunley (Everett) of Poplar Bluff. He has two grandchildren, Wendy Meade (Darcy) of Warsaw, Indiana, and Jay Warren (Candace) of Poplar Bluff. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Joshua, Brittany, and Sarah Elizabeth Meade as well as Jackson, Harrison, and Lincoln Warren. Other survivors include beloved nieces and nephew, Linda Bounds, Janice Bounds Pyle, Nancy Bounds, Cynthia Bounds Head, Aneta Bounds Balcom, Margery Clanahan, and Randal A. Clanahan.

A celebration of his life will occur on Thursday, September 19th at 11.00a.m. at the
Cotrell Funeral Chapel, followed by a private family burial in the Marble Hill Cemetery. Millard's daughters will greet family and friends one hour before the service at the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the Marble Hill Cemetery Fund or the First Christian Church Men's Bible Class and mailed to Gilliam Memorial Funds, Post Office Box 4061, Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63902.