Michael C. Gilliam

Michael Cleveland Gilliam, 74, of New Boston, OH, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Thursday, September 12th, 2024. Michael was born in Lynn, KY, in 1949 to Paul and Marjorie Gilliam. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jack and Steve Gilliam. He is survived by two sisters, Joyce Ramey and Pauline Bentley. Michael was the father of five children: Michelle and Paul Ward; Bridget and Ronald Foit; Christopher Gilliam; Brian Gilliam; and Brandy and Benji Carr. He also had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In 1975, Michael married Linda Gilliam. The two remained together for the next 48 years until Michael lost his battle with cancer. Michael grew up on a farm in Lynn, KY. At just nine months old, Michael’s life was dealt a difficult hand when his father died in a drowning accident. Yet, Michael was a bright boy, no doubt cultivated by the tutelage of his four older siblings and a doting widowed mother. Jokingly referred to as “Baby” because of the special attention showered on him by his mother, Michael began First Grade early at the age of five. He went on to earn good grades in school, and in 1967 graduated from McKell High School at the age of 17. When Michael applied for his first job, his mother had to sign an authorization for him to work because he was still a minor. He began work for Taylor Brickyard in South Shore, KY, and by age 21 he became what was then the plant’s youngest ever supervisor. In short order he went on to become the second-shift superintendent. In 1978, Michael accepted a position as the maintenance supervisor with BMI Refractories in South Webster, OH. Over the years, the company would change names and location, ultimately becoming Vesuvius in Wurtland, KY. Michael continued to move up within the company, becoming Assistant Plant manager and ultimately Plant Manager, a position he held until he retired in 2015. In his younger years, Michael enjoyed golfing and working on many household projects, such as remodeling a house or building a garage, with his nephew and close friend, Rick Ramey. They also loved to watch sports together. Michael had an incredible sense of humor and had a seemingly endless laugh when he heard a funny joke. It was easy to tell when he liked particular people because he would tease them endlessly about one thing or another, as many of his co-workers would testify. He was also a very caring and generous man. There is hardly a neighbor on his block whose car he hasn’t fixed or whose lawn he hasn’t mowed or whose house he hasn’t repaired in some way. In terms of money or possessions, Michael would either give it or share it. When Michael was first diagnosed with cancer in 2021, he became a born-again Christian and with his wife began attending the Sunshine Community Church in South Shore. He upheld Christian values for the rest of his days. Known as a workaholic, Michael began a new job a year after retirement, shuttling railroad employees in the Portsmouth railroad yard for a company named PTI. Through bouts of cancer, he continued to work until the day before he was hospitalized for the final time. Most importantly, Michael was a provider and a protector for his family. Especially in the latter years, Michael and Linda were a loving, bonded pair that only death could separate. A funeral service will be held 2:00p.m. Tuesday, September17, 2024 at D.W. SWICK FUNERAL HOME in New Boston with Kenneth Fox and Danny Mercer officiating. Interment will follow at Quillen Cemetery in Greenup, Ky. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the services on Tuesday. Online condolences may be left at DWSwickFuneralHome.com.