Joe T. Gilliland

He was born outside of Harriman, TN in 1933 and graduated from Harriman High School He attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN (class of 1955) and married Joan Frei Gilliland the same year. A few years later, he received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Mr. Gilliland spent his working life in journalism and communications roles, most of it as an associate editor at the Tullahoma News in Tullahoma,TN and then as a public affairs officer for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's offices in Atlanta, GA, Arlington, TX, and Rockville, MD.

After his first wife’s death in 1997, Mr. Gilliland married his second wife, Janet Thompson of Asheville NC. After her death, Mr. Gilliland married Lois Speaker of Peachtree City, GA. After his third wife’s death, Mr. Gilliland moved to Birmingham to live near his son.

Survivors include children Anne Gilliland (Eric Conrad) of Durham, NC and Don Gilliland (Pat Taylor) of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren Patrick Flint (Lesley Cline) and Charlotte Gilliland; brother-in-law Mitchell Carnell;; brother Ralph Gerald Gilliland (Gail); sister-in-law Shirley Gilliland; and nieces, nephews, and step children. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Laura Gilliland of Harriman, TN and his brother David Gilliland, also of Harriman.

Joe was an avid reader and writer and a born storyteller. He had a gift for making life-long friends, and he kept in touch with them via email through the humorous stories and news items he wrote. His interests included politics, energy policy, music, and the First Amendment, especially freedom of speech and of the press. He was a member of the Episcopal Church throughout his adult life and worked in support of equitable issues within the church.

Ridout’s Valley Chapel is handling arrangements in Birmingham. After a private memorial service, Joe will be buried in New Providence Cemetery in Maryville, TN beside his first wife, Joan. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Gilliland family.