Obituary of Robert L. Gilliam

Robert Lewis Gilliam September 6th 1945 – September 24th 2015 Robert Gilliam "Gizmo", 70, of Elmira, NY unexpectedly passed away September 24th 2015 at Arnot Ogden Hospital. He is the eldest son of the late Robert Lee Gilliam and Juanita June Paisley Gilliam of Gastonia, NC and Elmira, NY. He was born on September 6, 1945. Robert went to Thomas K. Beecher Elementary School, Elmira Free Academy High School, Corning Community College and Macomb Community College (Macomb, MI) where he pursued a degree in Data Processing. He worked for Wireworks, Inc. of Elmira, Keystone Binding of Horseheads, Kennedy Valve of Elmira as a Computer Operator and the Ford Motor Company (1970-1986) as a supervisor of the Data Processing & Time-Keeping Department. He enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968. Robert was an accomplished basketball player and was inducted into the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame. Robert was well known in the Elmira community. He also loved his family and children – he was usually jovial and joyful. No one will forget his smile, sense of humor and dance performances. Robert was a people person – he did not meet strangers. Robert loved to quote the Lord's Prayer (Psalm 23). Robert is survived by his daughter Shelia (Darryl) Gray of Binghamton.; his son Chad (Joanna) Gilliam of Detroit MI and daughter Sylvia Gilliam of Detroit MI, and former wife Cynthia Gilliam, mother of Chad and Sylvia. Siblings include Ronald (Ernestine) Gilliam of Ithaca, Daniel (Lori) Gilliam of Florida, Elizabeth Gilliam Mayo of Rochester Linda (Carlton) of Corning, Jean (Donald) Brundridge and Jeanette Robinson of Ithaca, Donna (Charles) Fuller of Prattsburg and Kevin (Kimberly) Gilliam of State College PA. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, aunt Georgianna (Alfred) McGrady of Elmira, aunt Aletha Jane Kelley of Oregon and lifelong friends Willie and Olinda Sapp of Elmira and Marcia Davis of Elmira and a whole city of friends and adopted family. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Walter Kent Funeral Home of Elmira. The funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 29th at Faith Temple Community Church located at 722 Standish/Corner Harper & Sullivan Streets, Elmira NY where Pastor Samuel Pulliam presides. Robert will be eulogized by his sister and Pastor Linda R. Truesdale. The reception will follow at the Elks Lodge located on Benjamin Street in Elmira.