Roger Dale Gilliam Obituary

Roger Dale Gilliam, age 77, of Talbott, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024. Roger was born April 10, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Jack Dempsey Gilliam and Ruby Inez Couch. Roger loved spending time with his family and rooting for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers.

He was an avid fisherman, and his favorite way to spend a day was with his family and friends on the lake. He was a United States Army Veteran. He served from 1966 to 1968 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

He served proudly in the Vietnam War as a tunnel rat participating in underground search and destroy missions, receiving a Bronze Star Medal for performing heroic or meritorious service in a combat zone. He served as a career water plant superintendent in Matewan, West Virginia, where he developed many life-long friendships. He was a volunteer fire chief of the city fire department for many years.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be sadly missed by so many. Roger leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Tilda Stump Gilliam of Talbott, Tennessee; three daughters, Vicky Hayon (Josef) of Huddy, Kentucky, Valerie Shapiro (Marc D. Shapiro M.D.) of Winter Park, Florida, and Rosemary Holbrook (Tim) of Versailles, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Joby Embrey, Evan Hayon (Shannon), Ryan Holbrook (Meghan), and Carli Holbrook (Billy); two great grandchildren, Finn and Parker Holbrook; along with a host of extended family and friends. A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, December 20, 2024, at Eastview Memorial Gardens, in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.

Contributions in Roger's memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org). Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.