James "Brother" D. Gilliam

James D. “Brother” Gilliam passed away at home on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at age 79. Visitation will be Thursday, November 19, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, November 20, 2015, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. James who was known to all as “Brother,” was born May 3, 1936 to James Lucas Gilliam and Willa Faye (Archibald) Gilliam in the Box Church community. He attended Groesbeck High School, Class of 1954. James was united in marriage with Glenda Joyce Favors on August 31, 1962 in Groesbeck and made their home here the rest of his life. He was a truck driver for the majority of his life, and worked at rock crushers and drove heavy equipment, retiring in June 1993 from Gifford Hill. He also had a private dump truck service for a couple of years after his retirement. Brother loved to hunt deer and squirrels (except the squirrels in his yard were protected.) He worked on vehicles and small engines and enjoyed teaching his grandson some of his skills. Brother was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 354 of Groesbeck and a member of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck. James was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Faye Gilliam; brother, Dave Gilliam; sisters, Lula Evans and Louise Kohler; and son-in-law, Mike Harrison. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Joyce Gilliam of Groesbeck; son, Jerry Wade Gilliam of Groesbeck; daughter, Melinda Gail Harrison of Groesbeck; five grandchildren: Candice Dawn Gilliam of Groesbeck, Jerry Wade Ginsel of Fort Worth, James Michael Gilliam of Groesbeck, Hailey Jo Gilliam of Corsicana, Derek Trey Harrison of Groesbeck; six great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He also leaves behind his sisters and brothers-in-law, Peggy and Sam Franklin of Mexia and Mona and J.C. Strouhal of Canyon Lake; sister-in-law, Lois Gilliam of Dallas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Robbie and Joe Dugger of Waxahachie; special family friends, Jeff Sharp, Larisa and Jody Goodman, and Tyler Merenda; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends.