Tommy Gilliam Passed Away

William T. "Tommy" 69, "slipped the surley bonds of earth" on Dec. 28, 2012 after a brief illness. He is survived by Vicki, his loving wife of 42 years; his much loved daughter Jori; brother, Michael of Atlanta, many cousins, nieces and nephews and a huge host of friends. Tommy was a career pilot having retired from Walter Energy Corps in 2010 after 26 years of flying their jet. He served as a U.S. Air Force Fighter Pilot from 1966-1973, flying the F4 Phantom. He served two Vietnam tours during which he flew over 300 Combat Missions into North & South Vietnam and Laos. He was decorated three times with the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism and over 20 Air Medals. Tommy was a 1965 Graduate of the University of Georgia and was an active member of the Tampa Bulldogs Club as well as the Rough Riders and The Red River Rats Fighter Pilots Assn. There was no bigger "Bulldog" fan than Tommy. Tommy was no stranger to anyone and was always the center of the laughter and good times. He loved being surrounded by people, old friends or new. A precious man, he will be badly missed by all who were privileged to be his friends. Memorial Service will be held at Bushnell National Cemetery at 2:30PM on Jan. 18, 2013. TBO.com