Buddy Gilliam

BUDDY GILLIAM Plantersville - King W. Buddy' Gilliam, 52, died Thursday, September 5, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Unit, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. A native of Tupelo, he was born November 5, 1960, to King W. Gilliam, Sr. and Jena McCollum Gilliam. He attended school in New Albany and was a 1980 graduate of Shannon High School. He served 32 years with the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving in Desert Storm and completed two tours of duty in Iraq. A former employee of Tecumseh Products, he worked 32 years as a quality supervisor. The things he loved most were his family, fishing, football, camping with his grandchildren and spending time with his family, friends and his National Guard Buddies. He was a member of Temple Grove Baptist Church of Plantersville. A celebration of his life with Military Honors, will be 10 a.m., Monday, September 9, 2013, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Bro. Daniel Brookman officiating. Tammy Gillentine will provide comforting messages in song. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, near Belden. Survivors include his loving wife of 22 years, Dee; his mother, Jena Gilliam of Pontotoc; one sister, Tamara Rowe (Steve) of New Albany; one stepson, Scott Melton of Tupelo; three wonderful grandchildren, Chandler, Dakota and Zoé; one nephew, Stephen Rowe (Christine) of Utah; two nieces, Tiffany Pound (Brett) of Fulton, Ashley Floyd (Jr.) of Baldwyn; and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents and daughter-in-law, Shelle Melton. Pallbearers will be Mike Ward, Mark Stone, Mike Forrester, Steve Rowe, Jerry Gray, Richard Anthony. Honorary pallbearers will be Doyl Gray, Donald Gray, Charles Lindley, Phil Lindley, Johnny Lindley, David Lindley, Chandler Melton, Dakota Melton, Phil Temple, Romy Holloway, Todd Temple, James Johnson and all of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. A public wake will be held 12 Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the funeral home, with the family receiving visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue 9 a.m. to service time Monday. Memorials may be made to The Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420 Rockville, MD 20850-5168, North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Unit, 830 South Gloster Street, Tupelo, MS 38801 or to the charity of givers choice.