William Gilliland
Bill Gilliland, 63, of Quincy, died Dec. 18, 2016, at his home, peacefully in his sleep. He was born December 27, 1952 in Fort Worth, TX, a son of William Floyd Gilliland and Frances McEntee Gilliland.
Bill not only conquered great physical challenges, he excelled. He had a brilliant mind and a phenomenal grasp of information. He had a huge heart that was filled with love and compassion for his fellow man. Bill had the character and dignity of great men but was always humble and gentle. For those fortunate enough to know him he made the world a better place.
Bill graduated from Nolan High School in Fort Worth in 1971. He earned his bachelors degree in mathematics from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX in 1975 and his masters degree in economics from Washington University in 1979.
Bill began his career with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Dallas, TX office in 1971. He was then assigned to the New Orleans HUD office, where he worked as a financial analyst until he moved to Anchorage, AK in 1984. He met Carol Farwell at work in the Anchorage HUD office. Bill and Carol were married August 3, 1985 in Anchorage. In 1989 they moved to Arlington, VA. Bill worked as an economist in the HUD Headquarters Office in Washington, DC until he retired in 2003. After retiring Bill and Carol moved to Quincy.
He was a member of St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
In addition to his wife, Carol, Bill is survived by nieces and nephews in Texas, California and Oklahoma, cousins in Alabama and Carol’s family in Quincy; brother and sister-in-law, John and Mary Kay Farwell, cousin, Linda and Brad Morrisson, a niece Julie (Bryan) Stevens of West Point and a nephew Matthew Farwell and his partner, Karen Straight of Kalispel, MT.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM in St. Francis Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church from 10:00 AM until the time of the services. Memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus TV Mass for Shut Ins or to St. Francis Catholic Church.
I am so sad to hear of Bill’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. He was respected and appreciated by everyone who had the privilege to know him. He was lightening smart, kind, hard working,witty and considerate. He and Carol made the perfect couple. May God bless Bill and Carol. I will keep both of you in my prayers.
Carol, I’m so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. Such a special guy, and you both a special couple I remember fondly in my earliest years at HUD HQ. Keeping you and family in my thoughts and prayers…Sherry
Dear Carol, Such sad and unexpected news. I have wonderful memories of working with Bill at HUD and agree that he was smart, funny, and a good and trustworthy friend. Also, not to be forgotten, are those delicious homemade cakes he brought to our HUD office parties. Love and warmest wishes to you and your family.
Kathryn
Carol, I am so sorry that your sweet husband is gone. I was looking forward to renewing our high school friendship and getting to know you. Please keep in touch with the class of 1971 and know that we send our love and ask God’s blessing on you.
I am very sorry for your family’s loss. Many people have found comfort in the words of encouragement found in the bible at Acts 24:15 and Isaiah 25:8. Jehovah God promises to swallow up death forever and to bring back all those already lost in death. Luke 7:11-17 offers proof of this promise.
Bill was my college roommate, the Best Man at my wedding, and a good friend for more than 40 years. We stayed friends all those years no matter where we wandered across this big country, visiting each other when we could. Now he has left us far too soon. He was a great guy who took life as it came and made the best of it. All our lives will be a little poorer without him in them. Indeed, the bell tolls for us. Deepest sympathy, Carol.
David Davis
Carol, I am so saddened to hear about Bill. He was such a fine man and you two were always a joy to be around. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love. Nita
Dear Carol,
I am so sorry to hear of you loss. Bill was such a wonderful person to talk to and always so interesting and kind. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Carol–I was so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. I did so enjoy his sense of humor and gentle approach to life. You, and Bill, are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carol: So sad to hear about Bill’s passing. He was too young to leave this world.
As you know Bill worked for me as well as within other offices dealing with the voucher program. He never refused to give !00% even working weekends to meet critical deadlines. He was as great mentor for Headquarters staff and staff in the financial center.
He had a great sense of humor and a quit wit albeit sometimes dry.
I am sure you will miss Bill but
and it is important that you remember the good things about him and the times you had together.
I will remember him in my prayers.
Sincerely, Jerry Benoit
Dear Carol — Bill’s passing is such a shock and I am very sorry to hear about it. What a fine, intelligent man, with a great sense of humor. Please accept my sincere condolences. I hope you will take good care of yourself in the days and weeks ahead. May God bless you — and Bill — richly. – Rob Leonard.
My condolences. I worked with Bill at HUD in various assignments and he was always very professional and a gentleman.
Carol, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Bill. He was a wonderful human being. Bill was a great man and was so instrumental with my career at HUD. He was one of my very first mentors . Bill was just brilliant. He along with Mary Conway taught me all that I know about the Housing Choice Voucher Program. I can never ever repay his kindness and patience in teaching me the intricacies of this program. I just hope that thru the years I have paid it forward by providing the same training that Bill provided to me to others at HUD. He was a hard act to follow.
All my love and sympathies to you Carol and your family.
Roma