William A. “Bill” Gilliland, 84, of Port Royal, passed away at 4:50 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Brookline Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Mifflintown.
Born on September 18, 1938 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, he is a son of the late Paul Maxwell and Beulah (Leonard) Gilliland.
On April 16, 1961, he married his surviving wife, Verna (Book) Gilliland with whom he was blessed to share over 62 years of marriage before his passing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Lisa Gilliland Harling and her husband Rod of Port Royal, Lezlee Mummah and her husband Stanley of Mifflintown, and Lance Gilliland of Port Royal; a nephew whom he raised, David Smith and his wife Tracee of Decatur, GA; grandchildren, Tristan Gilliland-Kunkle and his companion Mihaela, Rory Gilliland and his companion Carolyn, Seaver Gilliland-Kunkle and his companion Kaci, Larisa Harling Bishop, Mamie Harling Magill and her husband Dylan, Wyatt Harling and his companion Wynter, Nina Harling and her companion Zack, Ivy Harling Knepp and her husband Logan, Riley Mummah and her husband Bryant, Ross Mummah and his companion Madison, Katharine Morford, Madelon Morford, Parker Morford, Christopher Smith, and Jonathan Smith; great grandchildren, Waylon, Reese, Makyla, Nala, Emma, William, and Emerson; a brother, Donald “Duck” Gilliland and his wife Betty Jean; a sister, Judy Gilliland Fike; and his beagle, Bailee Sue.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a niece whom he raised, Elizabeth Smith Morford.
Mr. Gilliland was a 1956 graduate of Tuscarora Valley High School in Port Royal and proudly served our country in the US Air Force for over 4 years spending 2 of those years in Japan.
Bill was a Co-Owner of the former Leidy Chevrolet-Olds Car Dealership in Mifflintown; former Owner and Publisher of the Juniata Sentinel; former Owner of Juniata Printing; the former President of Swank-Fowler Publications; and the Owner of Hickory Hill Farm in Port Royal where he raised standardbred horses, especially Hickory Big Red.
His memberships included the Port Royal United Methodist Church; a life member of the Juniata County Sportsmen’s Club; a 50 plus year member of the Union Lodge No. 324 F&AM in Mifflintown; a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon #88; an Emeritus Director of Pennian Bank; and a member of the TCA (Train Collector’s Association).
He loved collecting trains, horse racing, refurbishing sleighs, hunting, horse racing, reading, and, in later years, enjoyed woodworking.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown. Interment will follow at Old Church Hill Cemetery in Port Royal where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veteran’s Council.
A viewing will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the funeral home where, at 6:45 PM, Masonic Rites will be accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Gilliland’s memory can be made to the Juniata County Library, 498 Jefferson St., Mifflintown, PA 17059.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/18/14 - Image Year: 1958
Photo of Bill Gilliland while he was serving in the military.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/25/18 - Image Year: 1956
Photo of Bill that appeared in his 1956 Tuscarora Valley High School Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/8/14 - Image Year: 1956
GRADUATION PICTURE FOR THE TVHS CLASS OF 1956 - Front Row: (L-R) Patsy Kipp, William Gilliland, Evelyn Eaton, Larry Turbett, Joan Searer, Leon Kepner, Louise Bergstresser, Glen Moyer, Mildren Brackbill. Middle Row: Robert Yohn, Roma Fisher, Abe Harbst, Joyce Book, David McCahan, Linda Kohler, William Hubler, Nellie Landis, Jerry Zettle, Nancy Wert. Back Row: Max Wharton, Ronald Bargo, Robert Crimmel.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/25/18 - Image Year: 1956
TVHS CLASS OF 1956: Front Row (l-r) Nancy Wert, Mildred Brackbill; 2nd Row: Nellie Landis, Patsy Kipp, Bill Gilliland, Mrs. McCahan (teacher), Louise Bergstresser; Joan Searer; 3rd Row: Larry Turbett, Joyce Book, Glen Moyer; 4th Row: David McCahan, Linda Kohler, Evelyn Eaton, Roma Fisher, Top Row: Bob Yohn, Bill Hubler, Bob Crimmel, Jerry Zettle, Ron Bargo, Leon Kepner, Max Wharton, Abe Harbst
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/3/19 - Image Year: 2015
ADVERTISEMENT for Hickory Hill Farm (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
