Michael “Mike” Ray Gilliam, age 68, of Blairsville, Georgia passed peacefully from this life on August 20, 2021.
He was born on August 30, 1952 in Pleasanton, California. Mike grew up in a military home and lived in Arkansas, Hawaii, and later moved to Madison, Wisconsin where he graduated from High School.
He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota to attend Bible college where he married Joy E. Hodges on August 19, 1972. Mike graduated from the Apostolic Bible Institute in 1975 with a degree in Theology.
Professionally, Mike was a minister, small business owner, realtor, and a bus driver. He spent most of his career years serving in ministry. He served on the Ministerial Team as Minister of Evangelism at the United Pentecostal Church in Spencer, Iowa (1975 - 1982), was the Founder and Pastor of the Apostolic Gospel Tabernacle in Monroe, Wisconsin (1982 - 1992), and pastored the United Pentecostal Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota (1992 - 1993). He had a passion for children’s bus ministry, teaching Bible studies, and studying the Word of God.
He and his wife retired to Blairsville, Georgia in 2018 to be near their children and grandchildren. Mike loved hunting, fishing, grilling out, and spending time with family.
He is preceded in death by his parents William and Dortha Gilliam.
Mike is survived by Joy Gilliam; his children, Brian (Melissa) and Rebecca; grandchildren, Audrey, Zachary, Tyler, Jordan, Caden, Christina, and Sebastian; siblings Connie (Ken) Mandley and Keith (Beth) Gilliam; cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at The Potter’s House (formerly Apostolic Gospel Tabernacle) located at W6540 Smock Valley Road, Monroe, Wisconsin 53566.
*The memorial service will be live streamed on the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tphmonroe/
In lieu of flowers, you may consider giving to Michael’s alma mater Scholarship Fund the family has established. This will be used to assist others in studying the Word of God in order to fulfill their calling to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Donations can be made online at PayPal.me/RebeccaJoy217 or checks can be made out to Rebecca Gilliam with “Mike Gilliam Scholarship” in the memo. Checks can be mailed to Rebecca Gilliam at 755 Lance Mountain Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512
