Thomas L. Gillham

Thomas Leroy Gillham, age 87, of Hot Springs, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016.

He was born Sept. 1, 1929, in Hot Springs, the son of Enoch “Gill” Gillham and Allie Watts Gillham. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Clarence Killian; stepmother, Mary Gillham; one sister, Virgie Merskin; and brother, Richard Gillham.

Leroy was a U.S. Army veteran, where he served in the Korean conflict, was awarded the Purple Heart and numerous other awards during his tour of duty. During his lifetime, while living in California, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and with a hospital; and later as a taxi cab driver in both Globe, Ariz., and Hot Springs. He retired from the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center. He was a thoughtful and kind man who enjoyed helping out wherever he could and volunteered often. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He loved animals, serving his church and working at the men’s mission, Samaritan Ministries.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Dolores Bardin Gillham, of Hot Springs; three daughters and son-in-law; Joyce and Dale Silvester, Thomasena Gillham and Michelle Gillham, all of Hot Springs; two sons, Kent Dillard, of California, and Keith Dillard, of Hot Springs; three granddaughters, Bonnie Elisa Roja, Dana Foster, Monica Chappell, all of California; three great-grandsons, James Roja, Michael Roja and Daniel Roja; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of wonderful friends.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with Brother George Vincent and Brother Doug Tippit officiating.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Pallbearers will be Roger Boone, Gary Merchant, Richie Gillham, Bill Libbert, Bill Hudgens, Preston Gregory, Bo Diggs and Jason Zeman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Freddie Gee, Lee Janis, Walt Grinnis, Levi Kelley, C.W. Gillham, Dr. James Humphreys and staff of Hollywood Avenue Family Clinic and the nurses and staff of Canyon Springs Rehabilitation.

Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.