Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Name“Bill” William Richard GILLIAM 
2,309, William Richard Gilliam,18, Gilliam-Oakley Wedding,3, Naomi Gilliam Sadler,261, Robert David Gilliam,3, Theron I (Gil) Gilliam,3, Charles G. Gilliam,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ81-CDHK : 22 December 2016), Polly Nobles in entry for William Richard Gilliam and Polly Ann Nobles, 20 Apr 1958,3, William (Bill) R. Gilliam,261, Bess Florence Gilliam Davenport
2,309, William Richard Gilliam,18, Gilliam-Oakley Wedding,3, Naomi Gilliam Sadler,261, Robert David Gilliam,3, Theron I (Gil) Gilliam,3, Charles G. Gilliam,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ81-CDHK : 22 December 2016), Polly Nobles in entry for William Richard Gilliam and Polly Ann Nobles, 20 Apr 1958,3, William (Bill) R. Gilliam,261, Bess Florence Gilliam DavenportBirthMar 25, 1937, Alamance County, North Carolina309,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ81-CDHK : 22 December 2016), Polly Nobles in entry for William Richard Gilliam and Polly Ann Nobles, 20 Apr 1958,3, William (Bill) R. Gilliam
DeathOct 31, 20203, William (Bill) R. Gilliam
BurialGilliam’s Primitive Baptist Church, NC 87 N, Elon, Alamance County, North Carolina2, William (Bill) R. Gilliam
FatherJohn Wesley GILLIAM Jr. (1886-1963)
MotherMary Blanche IDOL (1896-1982)
Spouses
Obituary Online notes for “Bill” William Richard GILLIAM
11/2/2020
William (Bill) R. Gilliam
Mr. William (Bill) R. Gilliam, 83, originally from Elon, died on October 31, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
A native of Alamance County, he was born on March 25, 1937 to John Wesley Gilliam, Jr. and Mary Idol Gilliam. He was the husband of Polly Nobles Gilliam.
Bill graduated from Altamahaw-Ossipee High School, attended UNCChapel Hill and graduated from Elon University. He completed his degree and taught classes at the Savings and Loan Institute in Greensboro. He was an active member of Berea Christian Church, having served at various times as Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, Building Committee Chairman, Choir member, and tireless BBQ shoulder cooker and Brunswick stew stirrer.
His career in banking began on October 1, 1959, as a teller at Community Federal Savings and Loan Association. He remained with the bank throughout his entire career and retired as President and Chairman of the Board. In 2002, Community Savings Bank merged with Capital Bank. Following that, he served in an advisory capacity for 3 years, serving as director and Vice Chairman of the Capital Bank Board.
Throughout his career, Bill served in various capacities with many organizations including Board Member of the North Carolina Bankers Association, President of the Breakfast Rotary Club, as well as the Rotary Luncheon Club. Through the years he served as President and Board member of the Altamahaw-Ossipee Civitan Club, Home Builders of Alamance County, United Way, Toastmasters Club and Jaycees. He served two terms as Lt. Governor of North Carolina District East of Civitan International, was President of Capital Bank Charitable Foundation, past member of Elon University Board of Visitors, and board member of Elon Homes for Children.
He was the next to the youngest in a family of ten children – seven boys and three girls. He loved growing up on the family farm, living there through retirement – all the while enjoying tractor rides with his grandchildren and welcoming family and friends for visits and overnight stays that offered genuine southern hospitality. A man of many talents, he was an accomplished gentleman farmer, wood refinisher, teacher, leader, organizer and friend to all. Always leading by example, he worked circles around all ages. An avid UNC fan, he loved listening, watching, and especially talking anything Tarheels. He was an extraordinary brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather – enjoying an incredible marriage of 62 years with his loving wife Polly. Over the past five years, Polly and Bill called The Village at Brookwood home, extending old friendships and establishing new ones that they enjoyed and cherished.
Survivors include his wife, Polly of the Village at Brookwood, three children: Jeff Gilliam (Cheryl) of Burlington, Leslie Wallace (Mike) of Belmont, Jason Gilliam (Deena) of Cary, grandchildren: Meredith Richardson (Jerry), Allison Oakley (Eric), Michael Wallace, Rob Wallace and Presley Gilliam; great-grandchildren – Elliott and Olivia Grace Richardson, Wyatt and Ava Gray Oakley; two sisters: Bess G. Davenport and Sara B. Gilliam, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one sister Naomi G. Sadler and six brothers: Junius W. Gilliam, Frederick K. Gilliam, John J. Gilliam, Robert D. Gilliam, Charles G. Gilliam, and Theron I. Gilliam.
The family extends a debt of gratitude to the staff of The Village at Brookwood. Their loving support to Bill and Polly has been extraordinary.
Due to the challenges of COVID-19, funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Gilliam Primitive Baptist Cemetery Fund, c/o Arnold Gilliam, 715 Westbrook Dr., Burlington, NC 27215 or Berea Christian Church, 2828 Old NC 87 North, Elon, NC 27244.
A register book is available at Rich and Thompson Funeral & Cremation. Online condolences may be made at www.richandthompson.com 3, William (Bill) R. Gilliam
William (Bill) R. Gilliam
Mr. William (Bill) R. Gilliam, 83, originally from Elon, died on October 31, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
A native of Alamance County, he was born on March 25, 1937 to John Wesley Gilliam, Jr. and Mary Idol Gilliam. He was the husband of Polly Nobles Gilliam.
Bill graduated from Altamahaw-Ossipee High School, attended UNCChapel Hill and graduated from Elon University. He completed his degree and taught classes at the Savings and Loan Institute in Greensboro. He was an active member of Berea Christian Church, having served at various times as Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, Building Committee Chairman, Choir member, and tireless BBQ shoulder cooker and Brunswick stew stirrer.
His career in banking began on October 1, 1959, as a teller at Community Federal Savings and Loan Association. He remained with the bank throughout his entire career and retired as President and Chairman of the Board. In 2002, Community Savings Bank merged with Capital Bank. Following that, he served in an advisory capacity for 3 years, serving as director and Vice Chairman of the Capital Bank Board.
Throughout his career, Bill served in various capacities with many organizations including Board Member of the North Carolina Bankers Association, President of the Breakfast Rotary Club, as well as the Rotary Luncheon Club. Through the years he served as President and Board member of the Altamahaw-Ossipee Civitan Club, Home Builders of Alamance County, United Way, Toastmasters Club and Jaycees. He served two terms as Lt. Governor of North Carolina District East of Civitan International, was President of Capital Bank Charitable Foundation, past member of Elon University Board of Visitors, and board member of Elon Homes for Children.
He was the next to the youngest in a family of ten children – seven boys and three girls. He loved growing up on the family farm, living there through retirement – all the while enjoying tractor rides with his grandchildren and welcoming family and friends for visits and overnight stays that offered genuine southern hospitality. A man of many talents, he was an accomplished gentleman farmer, wood refinisher, teacher, leader, organizer and friend to all. Always leading by example, he worked circles around all ages. An avid UNC fan, he loved listening, watching, and especially talking anything Tarheels. He was an extraordinary brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather – enjoying an incredible marriage of 62 years with his loving wife Polly. Over the past five years, Polly and Bill called The Village at Brookwood home, extending old friendships and establishing new ones that they enjoyed and cherished.
Survivors include his wife, Polly of the Village at Brookwood, three children: Jeff Gilliam (Cheryl) of Burlington, Leslie Wallace (Mike) of Belmont, Jason Gilliam (Deena) of Cary, grandchildren: Meredith Richardson (Jerry), Allison Oakley (Eric), Michael Wallace, Rob Wallace and Presley Gilliam; great-grandchildren – Elliott and Olivia Grace Richardson, Wyatt and Ava Gray Oakley; two sisters: Bess G. Davenport and Sara B. Gilliam, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one sister Naomi G. Sadler and six brothers: Junius W. Gilliam, Frederick K. Gilliam, John J. Gilliam, Robert D. Gilliam, Charles G. Gilliam, and Theron I. Gilliam.
The family extends a debt of gratitude to the staff of The Village at Brookwood. Their loving support to Bill and Polly has been extraordinary.
Due to the challenges of COVID-19, funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Gilliam Primitive Baptist Cemetery Fund, c/o Arnold Gilliam, 715 Westbrook Dr., Burlington, NC 27215 or Berea Christian Church, 2828 Old NC 87 North, Elon, NC 27244.
A register book is available at Rich and Thompson Funeral & Cremation. Online condolences may be made at www.richandthompson.com 3, William (Bill) R. Gilliam