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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Taft Rosco Gilliam, who passed away on
4December 3, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam was born in Bellefonte, Virginia to
6Marvin Taft and Emma Mae Gilliam (Winston) on November 1, 1937;
7he graduated from Virginia State University with a Bachelor of
8Science in Systems Management in 1959; he was a proud member of
9Omega Psi Phi fraternity; he joined the U.S. Army on April 5,
101960 and married Theola "Pixie" Rainey on May 26, 1962; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam spent 27 years in the United States
12Army, achieving the rank of Colonel; his career took him to
13numerous other countries, including deployments to Taiwan,
14Luxembourg, Vietnam, Korea, and West Germany; his domestic
15assignments included time in California, New Mexico,
16Wisconsin, Illinois, and Alabama; while serving his country, he
17earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the
18University of Southern California in 1977 and various diplomas
19from the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army Command and
20General Staff College, and more; he retired from the U.S. Army
21on August 31, 1987; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam received numerous medals and

 

 

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1commendations, including the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit
2Citation with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam
3Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense
4Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Bronze Star
5Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation
6Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army
7Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1st Oak
8Leaf Cluster, and the Legion of Merit; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam's pastimes included golfing,
10reading, visiting museums, and fussing at the news; he also
11mastered the art of masonry; upon retirement, he and his wife
12became the custodians of three of their grandchildren; he will
13be most remembered for his courage, his integrity, and his love
14of country; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam was preceded in death by his wife of
1658 years, Pixie; his parents; and his siblings, Willy Gilliam,
17Lucy Wells, Frances Procise, Barbara Tucker, Daniel Gilliam,
18and Abraham Gilliam; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Taft Gilliam is survived by his children, Michael
20"MBG" Gilliam, Sean "Flipper" (Michelle) Gilliam, and
21Christianne "Christi Maria-a-a" Gilliam; his siblings, Helen
22Dabney, Andrew (Sherry) Gilliam, Haywood (Audrey) Gilliam,
23Gloria (Herbert) Crossland, and Barry (Shirley) Gilliam; his

 

 

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1sisters-in-law, Dr. Averill Maxine Pritchett and Myrtle
2Bastien; his grandchildren, Isis Randall, Isaiah Randall,
3Isadora Randall, Mikayla Gilliam, Aiden Gilliam, and Isabella
4Lee; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends;
5therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
8Taft Rosco Gilliam and extend our sincere condolences to his
9family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
10further
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Taft Gilliam as an expression of our
13deepest sympathy.