Walter Leroy ‘Gil’ Gillam

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Walter L. “Gil” Gillam of rural Powell died on March 12, 2015, at Billings Clinic in Montana, due to complications from pneumonia and his long battle with heart failure. He was 76.

Gil was born in Casper and was raised in the Riverton/Pavillion area.

Gil was living his dream as a gentleman farmer. He also owned, managed and maintained his many rental properties and, with his wife, owned the Wyoming Natural Health Food Store on Bent Street in Powell.

Gil was a Navy veteran who served from the ages of 17 to 21 and was honorably discharged in 1962 as a torpedoman 3rd class.

After his service, Gil went to work for the Bank of New York in the stocks and bonds department. He then worked as an academic book publisher and finally opened his own plumbing and building maintenance company.

He was married to Ann Hogan in New Jersey for 32 years and they had four children, Thomas, Lance and James Gillam of New Jersey and Constance Gillam of Cheyenne.

In 1992 Gil married Sherie A. Lawson in Castro Valley, Calif., and became a beloved father to her two children, Launie Lawson and family of Powell and Scott Lawson and family of Las Vegas, Nev. 

Other survivors include Stevens cousins, aunts and uncle of California, cousins Dan and Gary Williams and families of Clark and Powell, cousin Lois Huisenga of Missouri, and his lifelong friends Jim Burden and Jerry Knight of Riverton. Gil also leaves his sister Kate and her husband Rob Mazza of Idaho.

Special friends include Earl Stevens, Carol Mayfield, Vickie Draper, Zane Bennett, Brian Thompson, Cherie Burger and Ed and Michelle Drew.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be attended by the family, who request that any donations be sent in Gil’s name to the Powell Senior Citizens Center.

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