James Franklin Gillam

James Franklin Gillam, 83, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at his residence. He was born June 4, 1935 in Knightstown to the late Luther Omer and Ruth Ellen (Cannell) Gillam.

James married Edna (Slaven), daughter of Elijah Lation and Rose Mary (Foster) Slaven on May 11, 1954 in Delaware County, Indiana.

James worked at Ball Brothers in Muncie and Delco Remy in Anderson. He then worked at Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis for 33 ½ years before retiring in 1994. He enjoyed traveling across all 49 States with his loving wife, Edna. He planned to go to Hawaii….as soon as they built a bridge there. Other than traveling and camping in their various campers and RVs, James enjoyed doing anything that included his wife. He enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show, Country Music, Bluegrass and Gospel shows, and he loved the Gaithers. He loved Ford cars and trucks, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Floyd Cramer and any from “the Good Old Days”. He loved his family and friends they meet all over the country.

James is survived by his loving wife of going on 65 years, Edna (Slaven) Gillam; three daughters, Mary Ellen Jackson of Kennard, Barbara Ann Greene of New Castle and Judy May Sloan of Oneida, TN; two sons, James C. (Kathy) Gillam of Knightstown and Steven R.L. Gillam (Jeff Gates) of Anderson; one sister, Judith Detwiler of Clermont, FL; seven grandsons, four granddaughters, nine great-grandsons, twelve great-granddaughters and three great-great-grandsons.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws; a brother, Omer Ray Gillam; a sister, Vergie Mae Taylor; two infant children and one great grandchild.

Services will be at 11:00am Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel with Rev. Gene Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences and memories of James may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .