David Gilliam

David Dolian Gilliam, 75, of Spartanburg, SC died Sunday, October 26, 2014 at his home. Born January 31, 1939, in Burlington, NC, he was the son of the late Eldridge Leon Gilliam and Bessie Matkins Gilliam. David was educated at North Carolina State University where he received a B.S. and M.S. degree. He retired in 1994 as an Electrical Engineer after 30 years of service with Duke Energy. He was a member of The Professional Engineers of South Carolina, Duke Energy retirees, and The Sertoma Club. A man of many wonderful talents, his joy was restoring vintage cars, building and refinishing furniture, and restoring old radios to their original state. With this love of older radios, he was a ham radio operator since the age of 12 and taught this skill in the summer. He was a long time member of Spartanburg First Baptist Church. Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years (celebrated October 17, 2014), Geraldine Phillips Gilliam; children, Amy G. Staggs of Greenville, SC, Tod David Gilliam (Tammy) and Laura G. Decker (Wayne), all of Burlington, NC, and Philip Leon Gilliam (Annette) of Graham, NC; step-children, Paulette Troup (Mike) and David Thornton, all of Burlington, NC, and Robert Thornton (Tracie) of Charlotte, NC; brother, Arnold Gilliam (Bonnie) of Burlington, NC; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; along with two loving dogs, Daisy and Jennie. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, 250 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306, by the Rev. Sal Barone, the Rev. Bill Adams, and the Rev. David Boyter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Special thanks for their love and care to Penny, Angela, and Amanda and the Journey Hospice caregivers. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David Dolian Gilliam please visit our Sympathy Store.