IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Edward T.
Gilliam
October 12, 1919 – September 8, 2018
Obituary
Life Reflections
II Lieutenant Platoon Leader Edward T. Gilliam II, age 98 died peacefully on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Serra Manor Senior Living Community in Weirton, West Virginia.
II Lt. Gilliam was born on October 12, 1919, in Newberry, North Carolina. He was the fourth of 11 children born to the late Edward, Sr. and Viola Gilliam. His parents moved to Steubenville, Ohio and he graduated fourth in his class from Steubenville Big Red High School in 1937 as a star football player. After graduation, Gilliam was forced to turn down a scholarship to then-Hampton Institute to help care for his 10 brothers and sisters.
In 1940, Gilliam was offered a football scholarship to Florida A&M University and played as a quarterback majoring in engineering. Unfortunately, his engineering dream was deferred during World War II, in which he served as a second lieutenant in the all-Black 92nd Division. In the immediate post-war years, he was forced to drop out of the Ohio State University, to work in the local steel mills to support his wife and two sons.
After a stint at a night school where he earned a drafting degree and roughly a decade in the workforce as a draftsman, Gilliam finally graduated — cum laude — from Cleveland State University in 1967, at the age of 48.
Nine years later in 1976, armed with his B.S. in mechanical engineering, Gilliam developed his groundbreaking invention for the then Allied Chemical. The invention enabled its tire manufacturing customers to measure heat and reduce tire stress and strain through chemical applications. Because of his patented creation, Allied Chemical reaped enormous financial benefits.
Gilliam's legacy is benefiting a new generation of African-American technologists, including a cohort of family members. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.
In 2012, in front of 5000 African American engineers, Gilliam was recognition at the National Society of Black Engineer (NSBE) National Convention in Pittsburgh and received the Golden Torch Legacy Award.
Edward was proceeded in death by his ex-wife Alice, two sons Edward T. Gilliam III (Sonny) and Terry Gilliam, sisters Elizabeth Gilliam Blackwell Fields, Clorena Gilliam Simmons, Estelle Gilliam Lawson, Mary Lee Gilliam Brown, Bessie Gilliam Fields, brothers Charles Gilliam, Lewis (LC) Gilliam, Henry Gilliam, and Joe Gilliam.
He leaves behind a brother Frank Gilliam (Velma), five grandchildren James A. Gilliam (Renee). Marte' Gilliam Shepherd (Bobby), Bernard Gilliam, Cherice Gilliam, Bianca Gilliam-Robinson (Sedrix), several great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Friends may call at the Gregory-Martin Funeral Chapel, 255 S. 7th Street in Steubenville on Friday, September 14, 2018, 6-8 p.m. A celebration of life for Mr. Gilliam will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday at Greater Zion Temple Family Worship Center, 500 N. 5th Street in Steubenville.
II Lieutenant Platoon Leader Edward T. Gilliam II, age 98 died peacefully on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Serra Manor Senior Living Community in Weirton, West Virginia.
II Lt. Gilliam was born on October 12, 1919, in Newberry, North Carolina. He was the fourth of 11 children born to the late Edward, Sr. and Viola Gilliam. His parents moved to Steubenville, Ohio and he graduated fourth in his class from Steubenville Big Red High School in 1937 as a star football player. After graduation, Gilliam was forced to turn down a scholarship to then-Hampton Institute to help care for his 10 brothers and sisters.
In 1940, Gilliam was offered a football scholarship to Florida A&M University and played as a quarterback majoring in engineering. Unfortunately, his engineering dream was deferred during World War II, in which he served as a second lieutenant in the all-Black 92nd Division. In the immediate post-war years, he was forced to drop out of the Ohio State University, to work in the local steel mills to support his wife and two sons.
After a stint at a night school where he earned a drafting degree and roughly a decade in the workforce as a draftsman, Gilliam finally graduated — cum laude — from Cleveland State University in 1967, at the age of 48.
Nine years later in 1976, armed with his B.S. in mechanical engineering, Gilliam developed his groundbreaking invention for the then Allied Chemical. The invention enabled its tire manufacturing customers to measure heat and reduce tire stress and strain through chemical applications. Because of his patented creation, Allied Chemical reaped enormous financial benefits.
Gilliam's legacy is benefiting a new generation of African-American technologists, including a cohort of family members. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.
In 2012, in front of 5000 African American engineers, Gilliam was recognition at the National Society of Black Engineer (NSBE) National Convention in Pittsburgh and received the Golden Torch Legacy Award.
Edward was proceeded in death by his ex-wife Alice, two sons Edward T. Gilliam III (Sonny) and Terry Gilliam, sisters Elizabeth Gilliam Blackwell Fields, Clorena Gilliam Simmons, Estelle Gilliam Lawson, Mary Lee Gilliam Brown, Bessie Gilliam Fields, brothers Charles Gilliam, Lewis (LC) Gilliam, Henry Gilliam, and Joe Gilliam.
He leaves behind a brother Frank Gilliam (Velma), five grandchildren James A. Gilliam (Renee). Marte' Gilliam Shepherd (Bobby), Bernard Gilliam, Cherice Gilliam, Bianca Gilliam-Robinson (Sedrix), several great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Friends may call at the Gregory-Martin Funeral Chapel, 255 S. 7th Street in Steubenville on Friday, September 14, 2018, 6-8 p.m. A celebration of life for Mr. Gilliam will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday at Greater Zion Temple Family Worship Center, 500 N. 5th Street in Steubenville.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward T. Gilliam, please visit our flower store.
Services
Calling Hours
September
14
Gregory-Martin Funeral Home Chapel
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Life Celebration
September
15
Greater Zion Temple Family Worship Center
Starts at 11:00 am
Interment
September
15
Union Cemetery Association
Starts at 12:45 pm
Edward T. Gilliam's Guestbook
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