Samuel Grady Gilliam Sr.

Samuel Grady Gilliam, Sr., 87, of Abbeville, husband of Elizabeth ‘Bootsie’ Edwards Gilliam, died peacefully Friday, March 3, 2017 surrounded by his family at his home after a brief illness.  He was born in Abbeville County to the late James Whitfield Gilliam, Sr., and Josie Clinkscales Gilliam. Mr. Gilliam was a faithful and lifelong member of Sharon United Methodist Church. He was a 1946 graduate of Sharon High School, a member of the Clinton Masonic Lodge and Hejaz Shrine Temple. In 1950 Mr. Gilliam graduated from Clemson University where he has remained a devoted alumnus, IPTAY member and fan. Mr. Gilliam served fifteen years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was the Delinquent Tax Collector for Abbeville County for fifteen years and for four years he was associated with the South Carolina National Bank in Abbeville. He then began employment with the Clemson University Plant Pest Regulatory Service, from which he retired. He served as a member of the Ninety Six District of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Abbeville County Soil and Water Conservation District, past member of the Abbeville County Department of Social Services Board, and the Abbeville County Forestry Land Owners Commission. Mr. Gilliam has been actively involved with the Abbeville Cattleman’s Association and for 41 years was a Director of the West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative. He had a love of golf and recently was honored with a marker recognizing his six holes in one on number six at the High Meadows Country Club where he has been a long time member. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, James Whitfield Gilliam, Jr. Mr. Gilliam is survived by his wife, Bootsie of 63 years, of the home; a daughter, Susan Gilliam Gladden (Bobby) of Abbeville; two sons, Samuel G. Gilliam, Jr. (Frances) of Abbeville and Henry Gibson Gilliam (Dean Brown) of Louisville, KY; five grandchildren, Tripp (Jerene), Wesley and Joseph Gilliam, Carter (Field) Farrar and Caitlin (Justin) King; four great-grandchildren, Jacob and Josie Gilliam, Grady King and Genevieve Farrer. The family will receive friends from 4:00PM to 6:00PM Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating the life of Sam Gilliam will be 2:00PM Monday, March 6, 2017 at Sharon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Fortney and Rev. Julian Ford officiating. Burial will be at a later date. The family is at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request memorials be made in memory of Sam, to Sharon United Methodist Church, 246 Sharon Church Road, Abbeville, SC, or Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W Alexander Ave, Greenwood, SC 29646, or to the United Christian Ministries of Abbeville, P. O. Box 502, Abbeville, SC 29620. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Gilliam family.