Dr. E. Joe Gilliam passed away peacefully on October 21st. Dr. Joe was 91 years old, or 92 if you reference the altered birth certificate he used to get a job in a factory at 16 to support his family.
He came from nothing as an often-homeless child, traveling between the small towns of Tennessee during the Great Depression with his mother, three brothers, and sister. His father died when he was one year old. His family was a surly bunch of hillbillies (E. Joe’s words) and it made him motivated to take a different path and become more than what he was born into.
In high school he found the Lord Jesus Christ, graduated, married his sweetheart Martha Marilyn, and went to Pacific Bible College in Portland Oregon (now Warner Pacific University). Freshly ordained to preach the Word, he returned to the Midwest, became a popular pastor, fathered five kids and then moved back to Oregon and took on the job of salvaging his sinking alma mater in the role as President.
While saving the college, he added a 6th child, a son in 1971 at the age of 42. That was a big deal in 1971. In 1979 with the college now sitting on its first endowment fund, Dr. Joe put the college in his rearview mirror and worked on various Christian academic ideas and publications along with putting a few bucks in the bank until retirement.
The most amazing blessing in his life was his wife, Martha Marilyn. Her unending patience, love, faith, forgiveness, money management and child rearing skills saved the family more time than they could count over 64 years of marriage. She provided Dr. Joe the gift to pursue his career and his calling to bring the great minds of Christianity into a single forum, to accomplish a single goal in the name of the Lord. She really was a great spouse, mom, lady, and utility infielder.
Dr. Joe wasn’t an athlete and his ability to fix things was limited to twine, and duct tape. However, he could tell a good tale and charm the crowd like few others. Reverend Gilliam didn’t need a microphone to give a sermon to a crowd of a thousand, and he was adored by the hundreds that found the Lord through him. And if you needed some funds raised, he could lift and deliver.
All-in-all one might say, “'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Dr. Joe leaves a daughter Felicia Joann and her daughter Christy Joann and grandson Ashton Michael. A son E. Joe Jr. and his kiddos E. Joe III, Hannah Marilyn, and Olivia Ann, along with great grandchildren Caitlyn Rose and Nora James. And a daughter Marilyn Sue and her children Jackson and Evelyn. He is also survived by his Son Vic’s daughters Rebecca Sue, Leanne Ruby, and Leanne’s newborn Milo Henri. He is preceded in the path to the Lord by Martha Marilyn, his daughter Amelia, and his sons Victor Stephen and Steven (Milo) Joseph. The Gilliams are a sustainable family, they recycle names.
Due to the COVID pandemic, there will not be a formal service. Don’t send money or other contributions. E. Joe has left the building and his fundraising days are officially over. Time to rest. If you’re otherwise compelled, send it to Warner Pacific University. Amen.
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