Published in the Blair Pilot September 21, 1927

Curtis Gilliam Died Sunday-Had Been a Blair Resident Nearly All His Life of 52 Years This Month-Funeral Held Yesterday

Curtis Gilliam, who has been seriously ill for some time with anemia, passed away at 5:25 Sunday afternoon, September 18th, just fourteen days past his 52nd birthday, having been born near this city on September 4th, 1875. He had been ailing for over a year but had been in bed about fourteen weeks. Everything was done that medical science kenw, but he gradually grew worse.

The funeral service was held at the Christian Church at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. W. B. F. Robb officiating. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery, to which place his body was followed by a long line of cars, for Mr. Gilliam was a good citizen and has made many friends.

He was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Jackson in this city on June 18th, 1903, and six children were born to them, one daughter, Ethel, dying in infancy. They are: John, age 23, Vivienne, aged 21, Clifford, aged 15, Ada, aged 13, and Bennie is 11 years of age.

Besides the wife he is survived by three brothers, Charles, of this city, and James and John, of Tekamah, all being present for the funeral service yesterday.

Mr. Gilliam had been in the dray business here for many years and carried the respect of everyone for his square dealing and honorable character in every way. He carried $2,000 old line life insurance, which shows something of his foresight and thriftiness.

His daughter, Vivienne, an employee of the Blair Telephone Co., has been sick for several weeks with typhoid fever and was unable to attend the funeral service.

“Brighter than the glorious sunsets That delight the earthly clime, Than the splendors of its dawning, Breaking o’er the hills of time.

Is the richness of the radiance Of the land beyond the sun. Where the noble have their country When the work of life is done.”

CARD OF THANKS: We wish in this way to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the friends and neighbors for their sympathy shown us during the illness and after the death of our beloved husband, father and brother, Curtis Gilliam. We want to especially thank those who sent the beautiful flowers in his memory, the minister and pallbearers and singers for their kindly services. Mrs. Curtis Gilliam and family, Chas. Gilliam and family, and Jas. Gilliam and family.

#2 22 Sept., 1927 - The Tribune

Curtis E. Gilliam died at an Omaha hospital last Sunday evening following an illness of fourteen weeks duration. The deceased was born in this city September 4, 1875 and was engaged at various industry, having been in the Drayage business for many years. During the summer he was taken ill with cancer of the stomach and all medical assistance was unable to give him relief. The funeral was held from the family home on east Jackson street Tuesday afternoon, after which services were conducted at the Christian church. The body was laid to rest in Blair cemetery. He leaves to mourn his loss his bereaved wife and five children, besides a host of friends.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public library.