Ben Wilson Gillam

Ben Wilson Gillam 62, of Temple Texas, passed away September 6, 2015 with his family and close friends at his side. A celebration service honoring Ben's life will be at 11:30 A.M., September 19, 2015 at Scanio-Harper Funeral home with a private family burial at North Belton Cemetery held later that afternoon. Ben was born in Temple Texas, May 16, 1953 to James Walden Gillam and Dorothy Hamner Gillam and lived in the Belton/Temple area all his life. He graduated from Belton High School in 1971 where he was a member of the Marching 100 Band. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972 and then worked construction many years of which most were for Roger Petty Paint Contractors. In May 1979 he joined the Temple Fire & Rescue and was also the assistant Emergency Management Coordinator retiring in 2009 at the rank of Captain. He received Firefighter of the Year in 2005. The brotherhood of Temple Fire & Rescue was tight and remained that way even after his retirement. After retirement he worked for a few years at Scott & White as a courier and enjoyed that job as well. Ben did not meet a stranger and made lasting friendships throughout his life. Ben was a loving father, wonderful husband and loyal friend. Ben's "tell it like it is" humor and planning ability will be sadly missed. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, James Walden and Dorothy Hamner Gillam, sister Mary Gillam Charley and brother James H Gillam, his grandparents William Frances (Garr) and Mayme Hamner and great aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Dee Ann Thompson Gillam, a daughter Candace Nicole Lela Gillam and son William Charles Gillam all of Temple, Brother in law Gary Charley of Austin, TX, step-brother Tommy Thorton and wife Kay of Belton, TX, step sister Susan Blair and husband Billy of Fort Worth, TX, sister in law Margaret Lane and husband Steve of Troy, TX, brother in laws Charles Lee Thompson and wife Cher from Granbury, TX, Paul Thompson of The Woodlands, TX, father in law Charles Thompson and his wife Marty of Temple TX. He had numerous nieces and nephews: Laura Charley, Amanda Charley and Gary Charley all of Austin TX, Kristen Gillam and Duane Wines of Burleson, Brandi Gillam Owens and husband Lee of Crowley, TX, Christine Rhodes and husband Josh of Clyde, TX, Carman Thompson of Dallas, TX, Chelsea Thompson of Granbury, TX, Matt Lane of Troy, TX, Cari Lane of Waxahachie, TX, and 7 great nieces & nephews. Ben had many very close friends and the fire department brotherhood meant a lot to him. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Dr. Jack and Wanda Weinblatt Endowed Scholarship at the Temple College Foundation or Temple Fire and Rescue Operation Warmth.