Ray A. Gilliland, of Hadley Road, Clarks Mills, (Perry Twp.) passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Tuesday evening, December 10, 2013 of natural causes. He was 67.
Ray was born in Greenville, Pa. on October 20, 1946 a son of Robert R. and Frances M. (Derr) Gilliland. On August 29, 1980 he married the former Katherine Thompson who preceded him in death on August 25, 1998, he subsequently married the former Twila A. Osborn on July 15, 1999.
He had been employed for over 19 years at the former Westinghouse, Sharon and had been self employed as a dairy farmer and also owned and operated Gilliland General Store in Atlantic and Utica. He had attended the Clarks Mills United Methodist Church. Ray enjoyed hunting and fishing and having raised horses taking great pride in showing them.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his mother, Frances M. Gilliland of Greenville, 3 sons, Robert W. Gilliland and his wife Michelle of Saegertown, Lester E. Ault and his wife Michelle of Cochranton and Brad Miller and his wife Beth of Greenville, 2 daughters, Tami L. Baker and her husband Rusty of Cochranton and Donna Emigh and her husband Joe of Utica. Two sisters, Kitty M. Wolfe and her husband James of Greenville and Chip Sheffer and her husband George of Greenville, his first wife, Louise Gilliland of Meadville. 11 grandchildren, two great grandchildren and 2 nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father and his second wife, Katherine.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 3223 Perry Hwy., Sheakleyvile, with the Rev. Dayton Mix, pastor of the Clarks Mills United Methodist Church officiating.
The committal service and interment will follow at the Stevenson Cemetery, Salem Twp.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 3:00-7:00 pm and are invited to share memories and condolences online at Robert Snyder Funeral Home
The family has suggested that memorial tributes may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or to the Utica Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 83, Utica, PA 16362