Another American hero is gone. Charles N. "Gil" Gilliam, Sr. died on August 18, 2010 at the age of 91. He was born May 2, 1919 to Reverend Cleveland and Mrs. Ruby Hall Gilliam in Life, Tenn. He had two brothers. Following graduation, he worked in the field of construction until he began a military career in October 1941, starting as one of the original "Flying Tigers" during WWII, which lasted almost 21 years. He was forever proud of his career and the dedicated mission of our country's military. Gil met the love of his life in Memphis, Tenn. and after a whirlwind romance married her three months later in Macon, Ga. Through his Air Force career and after, they raised four children he always worried he hadn't done enough for, Charles N. "Chuck" Gilliam, Jr., Denetia G. "Cooker" Ivester, Shayna R. Dickey, and Patrick E. "Pat" Gilliam. He was very proud of his children and theirs, involved in many civic organizations, a strong church member, a master woodworker, and the family head of what he lovingly called the "wandering nomads". Gil was a dedicated husband, terrific father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris H. Gilliam, and is survived by his children, Chuck, Cooker, Shayna and Pat, 14 grand children, Kisha (& Jimmy), Natasha, Zeb (& Ryanne), Deborah (& Jay), Lucas (& Lily), Morgan (& Crystal), Brandon (& Nichole), Clay (& Nora), Lacie, Rosie, Victoria, CJ, Cameron and Connor, and seven great grandchildren, Amber, Jimmy Lee, Blake, Colton, Sarah, Lenora and Lincoln, plus one more on the way. The family thanks God for the gift of Gil. A funeral will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel in Marietta, with interment to follow at Georgia Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening, 6-9 PM at the funeral home. Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home. 770-432-0771.