James Walter Gilliam, Sr., 83, of Sebastopol, died on Dec. 10, 2004, of complications resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Los Angeles to Clovis and Alice Dorothea Gilliam as one
of four children, he grew up in Los Angeles where he met and
married Mary Stevens. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during
World War II and fought in combat in the Pacific Theater. He was
honorably discharged in 1946.
Following the war, Jim returned to his pre-war employer,
Lockheed Corp., where he worked in the Missile Systems Division
until his retirement in 1983. Once retired, Jim and Mary moved to
Sebastopol. Mary passed away in 1986 after more than 45 years of
marriage.
Jim remained active in retirement. In addition to his planning
commission and Red Cross work, he was active in Sons In Retirement
of Santa Rosa and the California Chapter of the Second Marine
Division Association, where he served a term as president. He
enjoyed traveling, ballroom dancing, running, bicycling, working
out and socializing at Coaches’ Corner Fitness Center and tending
his rose garden. Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Stevens
Gilliam, his sister, Margaret McWilliams, a brother, Barney Gilliam
and two sons, James Walter Gilliam Jr. and Neil Robertson Gilliam.
He is survived by one sister, Barbara Salter of San Diego, her
children Kathy Gilliam and husband Jim of Sebastopol, Larry Gilliam
and wife Sandie of Scotts Valley, Marsha Killian and husband
Marshall of Marquette, Mich, Carla Shryock and husband Dan of
Salem, Ore., Glenn Gilliam and wife Teresa of Hillsborough and 12
grandchildren. He also is survived by his longtime companion, Nell
Fiedler of Santa Rosa. Memorial contributions may be sent to the
Alzheimer’s Association, 1211 N. Dutton Ave., Suite A, Santa Rosa,
95401.