William Reid Gilliam

April 9, 1935 - March 11, 2012

Bill Gilliam was a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer. He never missed an opportunity to discuss his alma mater. He was honored to receive the Ramblin’ Wreck Award for Outstanding Alumnus.

After graduating in 1957 with a degree in Industrial Engineering, he launched his career with Westinghouse. Bill shone as a marketing manager in their industrial sector. One of his greatest feats was organizing the first US delegation to Mainland China in the late 1970’s.

The economic turmoil of the mid-80’s generated his second career. Always willing to play with gadgets, he earned his hearing aid license. He joined the Walker Hearing Aids sales force. It was much more than a job. He dedicated his time and energy to this industry. Eventually, he was elected President of the Texas Hearing Aid Association. In his retirement years, he divided his time between North Carolina and Houston with his wife, Martha.

Born and raised Methodist, he met his bride at a church supper. Bill and Martha shared 54 years of married life together. Their family grew. Three daughters called him “Dad.” He provided a home for the menagerie of dogs, cats, fish, and rodents that joined the family.

He is sorely missed by his wife Martha Stephens Gilliam; daughter Martha Susan Gilliam, daughter Bonnie Gilliam Scothorn, her husband Doug Scothorn, and their children James Reid and Rebecca Grace; and daughter Sarah Gilliam Clark and her son David Ellis.

As his family knew, Bill was an avid story teller. His twinkling eyes revealed any tale’s punchline. Many of his stories were about family and friends. Others were about his childhood in Nashville. Some of his favorite characters preceded him in death. They include his parents William Craven Gilliam and Gertrude Threadgill Gilliam, his brother Joe Sykes Gilliam, and his son-in-law Ellis Wood Clark lll. These and many others rejoice with him in Heaven today.

He was an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church. His service included the Men’s Group, Lay Ministry, Ushers Guild, Camp Allen coordinator, and Vestry member. In North Carolina, he was a board member of St. Andrew’s By-the-Lake in Lake Toxaway.

Bill was also a regular at Rotary meetings. He was a member of the Houston’s Rotary Club of the University Area and the Western North Carolina’s Cashiers Valley Rotary Club.

Bill Gilliam lived his life that exemplified the attributes of a true Eagle Scout. We were lucky to have him.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations “In Honor of William R Gilliam” and “The Houston Area Club” to The GT Foundation/Georgia Tech Alumni Association/190 North Ave, N.W./ Atlanta,Ga. 30313. Another choice is “Camp Scholarship Fund” Camp Allen/ 18800 FM 362/Navasota, TX 77868.

Services will be held on at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16 at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Piney Point. Interment will be held on a later date.