Charles Gilliam

Mr. Charles Gilliam, 80, of Biloxi, MS died Sunday, July 24, 2011. Chief Gilliam entered the militiary service with the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Korean Conflict. He left the Marine Corp. in 1953 as SSGT. He entered the U.S. Air Force and Retired with 41 years 4 months of service as a CMSGT in 1991 at Keesler AFB, MS. He was Senior enlisted advisor of the Air Force Reserve's only weather reconnaissance unit and the only AFR unit in MS. He was a Master Mason of 52 years and a member of Osiris-Pentalpha Lodge No. 23 of the District of Columbia, a 32 degree Master Mason of the Scottish and York Rite. He was a member of the Shriners, the Moose Lodge #332, the American Legion Post 2002, the Fraternal Order of Eagles all of D'Iberville, MS, the Elks Lodge #606 of Biloxi, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Nodell Gilliam, and two sisters, Dorthy Clark and Ruth Bird. He is survived by his wife Bernice Julia Gilliam, a son, David (Christine) Gilliam of Lake City, FL; three daughters, Dayle L. Gilliam of Lawrence, MA, Rachelle L. Redmond of Biloxi, MS, Kathleen (Allen) Swindell of Panama City, FL, Grandson, Travis H. Curtis, Granddaughters, Alisha Gilliam and Amber (Damon) Golden, Great Granddaughter Shianne Golden; two brothers, Walter (Gail) Gilliam of Petersburg, VA and John (Adrienne) Gilliam of Roanoke, VA. There will be a graveside service Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue is in charge of arrangements.