Oscar D. Gilliam

Oscar D. ' Buzz ' Gilliam, 84, 1301 Rock Garden Road, Johnson City died Wednesday, November 30, 2005 in the Lakebridge Health Care Center. Mr. Gilliam was a native of Scott County, VA, spent his childhood years in Kingsport, and had lived in Johnson City since 1951. He was a son of the late Haburn and Louise Bowens Gilliam. He was a retired employee of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home in the engineering department. Mr. Gilliam was a U.S Army veteran serving in WW II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and was of the Pentecostal faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Arthur Gilliam and a sister Hazel Gilliam Rhyans. Survivors include: his wife of sixty years, Pauline Wright Gilliam of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lavennia Sue and Preston 'Tom' Osborne of Johnson City, Nancy and Rusty Rupert of Limestone; four brothers, Garland Gilliam of Savannah, TN, Ralph Gilliam of Somerset, KY, Linnie Gilliam of Gray, TN, Mack Gilliam of Kingsport; Three sisters, Pearl Forbes of Kingsport, Shirley Waycaster of Johnson City, and Joanne Compton of Kingsport; one grandson, Scott King of Johnson City, two granddaughters, Loretta 'Lorrie' Bowers and Sundae 'Sunny' Pope, both of Johnson City; great grandchildren, Robby Bowers, Cassie Bowers, Angel King, Josh King, Daniel King, And Taylor Pope; a special friend, Alan Robinson; several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service for Oscar D. 'Buzz' Gilliam will be conducted at 8 PM Thursday, December 1, 2005 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Rev. Greg Street and Rev. Buford Blankenbecker will officiate. The graveside service will be conducted at 2 PM Friday in Washington County Memory Gardens. Everyone will meet at the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends in the funeral chapel from 6 to 8 PM Thursday prior to the service.