William L. “Billy” Gilliland, age 44 of Arizona, and a former resident of Wellston, passed away June 23, 2016 in Arizona. Billy, a cherished son, brother and friend, graduated from Wellston High School with the class of 1989. Following graduation, he joined the Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant, working as a maintenance chief for Apache-Blackhawk helicopters, a job which he enjoyed. Among his deployments, Billy served in Bosnia. He was honorably discharged in 2003 and began working as a helicopter maintenance mechanic in Phoenix, Arizona. Billy was an avid sports fan, who enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. He had a big heart and a wonderful smile.
He is survived by his mother, Anita Gilliland Hendrix of Wellston; father, William Leroy Anderson of California; step-father, Damon Hill of Wellston; step-mother, Denise Anderson of California; siblings, his twin, Tami Fox, Dee Andrew Anderson, Jason Powell, Fawn Hill-Norton, Missy Thacker, Lisa Rosetta, Cory Hill, Mandy Ewing, Casey Good, Melinda Matteson, Kelly Franco, Damon Hill, Tommy Tucker, Bobby Hill, Lee Hill, Larry Queen and Michael Cantrell, along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends, including close friends, Carl Chase and family.
Billy was preceded in death by grandparents, George Gilliland, Anna Bell Collins, Frank and Nannie Hill and Willard and Mildred Anderson; sisters, Rona Marie Hill and Bobbie Jo Hill; brother, Shane Hill; and step-mother, Debbie Hill.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston with Rex Holzapfel and Pastor Jorge Anido officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery. For those who wish, the family would appreciate contributions in Billy’s name be given to the McWilliams Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com