Dizzy Dean Gilliam

Dizzy Dean Gilliam, 83, passed away on March 24th 2018 at the SECU Hospice Care Center in Yadkinville, NC. He was born on March 23rd 1935 in Jonesville, NC to Raymond and Selma (Gatton) Gilliam. Dizzy was a man of many talents, who loved his family, golf, auto and kart racing, and his little dog Tinkerbelle. He was always willing to try something new, never met a stranger, always loved his family above all else, and would have done anything he could to help a friend in need. Dizzy grew up in Jonesville and graduated from Jonesville High School in 1954, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and participated in many activity clubs. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served until 1957. He would go on to work in numerous industries, including local radio play-by-play announcer, heavy equipment operator, owner of the Lamplighter Restaurant, and retiring as a supervisor from Unifi. Dizzy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pam, and siblings Columbia and Johnny.Dizzy is survived by his children Dean (Mary Ellen) Gilliam of East Bend, Diane (Tim) Webb of Boonville, Denise (Kevin) Kimrey of Black Mountain, Darren Gilliam of Greensboro, Michael (Aimie) Shipley of Yadkinville, and Tommy (Brooke) Shipley of Mocksville; his siblings Margaret (Malin) Simmons of Jonesville, Barry Gilliam of Jonesville, Nancy (Kent) Brown of Hamptonville; and by seven grand-children and six great-grand-children. A memorial service will be held at Gentry Family Chapel, Yadkinville at 3:00pm, March 31st, 2018. The family will be greeting friends and relatives one hour prior to the memorial service from 2:00 to 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in his honor to SECU Hospice Care Center, 243 North Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC 27055 or online at: http://www.mtnvalleyhospice.org/donate. Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Gilliam family.