D. William "Bill" Gillilan

August 14, 1931 - August 19, 2010

D. William "Bill" Gillilan, 79 of Higginsville, Missouri died on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at his home. Born Friday, August 14, 1931 in Fayetteville, Missouri, he was the son of Lester Gillilan and Bessie Bodenhamer Gillilan. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Kathleen Gillilan; and one sister, Patricia Schroer. Bill lived most of his life in Higginsville. He married Barbara D. Salyer August 17, 1952. and was a member of the First Baptist Church. A 1949 graduate of Higginsville High School, he also attended one year of college. Bill worked as Postmaster of the Higginsville Post Office until his retirement in 1988. He was a former member of the Higginsville Lions Club and Higginsville Jaycees. Surviving are his wife, Barbara Gillilan of the home; one son, Bob & Wife Pam Gillilan of Higginsville; three daughters, Karen & Husband David Esser of Sedalia, Missouri; Kelly & Husband Michael Shafer of Higginsville; and Jenny & Husband Marius Pacioianu of Topeka, Kansas; one brother, C. Robert & Wife Mary Lou Gillilan of Jefferson City, Missouri; one sister, Mary Sue & Husband Ron Sanders of Higginsville; 10 grand children, Kelly & Husband Tom Williams; Sarah Esser, Angie Esser, Rachael & Husband Eric Meyers; Zac Gillilan; Derek Gillilan, Emma Gillilan, Amy & Husband Robert Hoefer; Stephanie Shafer; and Elena Pacioianu; 5 great grand children, Kaitlynn Williams; Kyla Williams, Matthew Elder, Adam Hoefer and Alyssa Hoefer. A Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday at First Baptist Church located at 1907 Peach St. Higginsville, with Dr. Greg Fine officiating, Marsha Madole, organist and Dennis Million, vocalist. Interment will be in City Cemetery, Higginsville. Pallbearers include Jim Sanders, Kevin Sanders, Glenn Opfer, Mike Gillilan, Scott Gillilan and Steven Gillilan. Honorary pallbearers are Roger Erdman, Larry Smith, Donn Quick, John Campbell, Bob Bergsieker, Dave Atkins, Paul Warren and Ralph Dye. The family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at Hoefer Funeral Home, 1600 Main St., Higginsville. Memorial contributions may be sent to American Heart Association or Kansas City Hospice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hoeferfuneralhome.com