Earl Thomas Gilliam

September 26, 1927 - January 8, 2013

Mr. Earl Thomas Gilliam, age 85, a lifelong resident of Maury County, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at his Columbia home. Funeral services will be Friday, January 11, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens with Military honors provided by the United States Army. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 5:00 " 7:00 PM and again two hours prior to the service on Friday at Heritage Funeral Home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and in charge of the arrangements. Tom Gilliam was born on September 26, 1927. He was the son of the late Jesse Earl and Nannie Lue Jones Gilliam. An Army veteran, he served in the occupying forces of Germany at the close of World War II. After his discharge, he was hired by Union Carbide and worked there many years before retiring in 1990. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and wood craftsman. In his workshop, he made beautiful, antique-inspired furniture out of Maury County walnut and cherry. He is survived by brothers: Steve (Julie) Gilliam of Owensboro, KY, Jesse Ray (Kathy) Gilliam of Cincinnati, OH; step-brother: Jimmy (Kay) Wilsford of Lenoir City, TN; sisters: Linda (Glenn) Hicks of Atlanta, GA; step-sister: Sara (Wendell) Sims of Lynnville, TN; uncle: Boyd (Lois) Gilliam of Columbia; aunt: Hettie Hardison of Gallatin, TN; cousin: Jason Gilliam of Maury County; and special friend: Reba Cole. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Westmoreland Gillliam. Pallbearers will include: Jason Gilliam, Boyd Gilliam, Eric Foster, Roger Gilliam, Harry Edwards, Mike Ford, James Lee, and John White. Honorary pallbearers will be: Jack White, Jackie White, Allen Chumley, Don Westmoreland, Joey Ford, and Jimmy Ford. Condolences may be sent to the family at the top of this page.