Willis William "Bill" Gilliland

Willis W. Bill Gilliland, age 69, of Lyndon, Kansas, died Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Vintage Park of Osage City. He was born on Thursday, September 3, 1942, in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. He was the son of Willis Arthur and Mabel Louise (Smith) Gilliland. He moved from the Ottawa area to Lyndon, Kansas in 1984, and Osage City in 2009. Bill graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1961. Bill worked as a laborer and cook. He worked for Kan-Build Homes, later known as All American Homes, in Osage City, Kansas, retiring on April 1, 2005. Bill served in the United States Army with Co A 303D ASA Bn Army Security Agency from December 30, 1961, until December 17, 1964, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement) XVI U. S. Army Corps. TSG Gilliland retired from the United States Air Guard on January 12, 1994, having been deployed in both Dessert Storm and Dessert Shield. He was a member of Euclid Lodge #101, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #6406, both in Lyndon, Kansas, and Pomona Chapter #305, Order of the Eastern Star. On March 19, 1967, Bill was united in marriage with Joy Davis. They were divorced in June of 1981. On April 1, 1983, Bill was united in marriage with Carolyn Sue Susie” Davis in Ottawa, Kansas. They were later divorced and remarried December 28, 2006, in Ottawa. She preceded him in death January 22, 2008. He is survived by his: Daughter-Shirley Mertes and her husband, Mark, of Sedan, Kansas Son-Willis W. Gilliland, Jr. of Wichita, Kansas Stepson-Larry Allison and his wife, Karen, of Melvern, Kansas Stepdaughter-Dena Ackors and her husband, Floyd, of Lyndon, Kansas Stepson-Kevin Heit and his wife, Liz, of Lyndon, Kansas Brother-James “Jim” Gilliland of Ottawa, Kansas Grandchildren-Ten Gt.-Grandchildren-Fourteen Many nieces & Nephews He is preceded in death by his: Wife-Carolyn Sue Gilliland Parents-Willis and Mabel L. Gilliland Brother-Donald Eugene Gilliland Maternal Grandparents-W.H. “Bill” and Kathryn Smith Paternal Grandparents-Harry and Lettie Gilliland SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012. IN STATE: Mr. Gilliland will lie in state at Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Wednesday to the service hour. Family will meet with friends at 9:00 a.m. Thursday prior to services. CEMETERY: A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Pomona, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center or Vintage Park of Osage City, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.