Garry Gilliam

Garry W. Gilliam Garry W. Gilliam, 66, of Northport, Alabama, passed away September 25, 2013, at the Hospice of West Alabama after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Memorial Services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, September 30, 2013, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Donald G. Payne presiding. A 40+-year veteran of the automotive industry as well as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Vietnam War, Garry was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend. Originally from Pennington Gap, Va., he lived a significant part of his life in Dayton, Ohio, before settling in the Tuscaloosa area in 1997 with his wife of 18 years, Sandy. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Ellis Gilliam; mother, Marcella Arney Gilliam Catron; and stepfather, Jargo Catron. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Gilliam of Northport, Ala.; children, Gretchen L. Gilliam (fiancée Brian Marzluf) of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Gregory W. Gilliam (Tracey) of Bronxville, N.Y.; stepchildren, Julie Decuir (Craig) of Lebanon, Ohio and Brian Mayberry (Gaea) of Wilmington, N.C. Surviving siblings are Teresa Gilliam Standifer of Pennington Gap, Va.; Ronnie Ellis Gilliam of Duffield, Va.; and Roger Darrell Gilliam, Pineville, Ky. Garry's grandchildren, Piper, Bailey and Samuel Gilliam; Olivia and Lucas Decuir; and Owen Mayberry will miss their Papa, but have no doubt of the love he had for them. He will be missed terribly, but we know we will be with him again some day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Garry W. Gilliam to one of two charities: Nick's Kids Fund (www.nickskidsfund.com) or Hospice of West Alabama (www.hospiceofwestalabama.com).