William Gillum

William Price Gillum (Bill) 78, left this earth to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 13, 2016, after a 2 and ½ year battle with cancer. He passed away at his Orlando home in the presence and comfort of his family.
Bill lived a storybook life...born in tiny West Liberty, KY to Edward Eugene Gillum and Lexia Childers, he was the youngest of 2 children, Penny (date) and "Billy" (1938). He grew up between (Kentucky, Richland, WA, Whitney Pt, NY and Akin, SC). He completed his Associates Degree and Augusta CC and spent s few years in the Navy on the carrier CVN15, The Randolph. He finished up school at Georgia Tech and embarked on his like as an adult. Before long, he ended up in Taiwan, via a stint in Vietnam. That is where he met his beautiful wife, Jenny. He lived in the Orient for 12 years, learning to speak fluent Mandarin and literally dancing thru SE Asia. 2 kids later, 1975 brought him back to the US. He started out in Goodland, IN, working for Better Coil, and spent a few great years there, but finally figured out he needed to make some money and work for himself. The next years would be spent growing his sales business in Morristown, TN, on the back of Magnavox and eventually led him to Orlando, FL in 1982, where he lived out the rest of his life.

He was a man of many talents, many stories many laughs...and many jobs. School Bus driver, funeral home worker, radar-man, construction foreman, dance instructor, shoe salesman, videographer, radio DJ...the list is endless…and so are the number people who call him a friend.

After all, that was his real skill...connecting with people...and genuinely caring. He would do absolutely anything for you if he considered you "family".

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jenny, his children, Barbara Shipe (husband Tim) and Scott Gillum (wife Daniela), and his 6 grandchildren: Danielle (26), Gabrielle (24), Sam (14), Mailey (9), Grady (8) and Everley (4).
Arrangements are being handled by Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home. There will be a gathering of friends on Tuesday November 22, 2016 from 10am to 11am with memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following organizations, whom both provided exceptional care to Bill:
• Vitas Healthcare - https://www.vitas.com/community-connection
• UF Cancer Center - http://www.ufhealthcancerorlando.com/patients-and-visitors/get-involved

Visitation

Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Service

Memorial Service

Cary Hand Colonial Funeral Home
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
11:00 AM

Memorial Contributions

Vitas Healthcare