Mr. Gregory Steve Gilliam, affectionately known as "Greg" and "Pap" was born on January 7, 1949, to Mamie P. Gilliam in Winston-Salem, NC. He received his formal education at Paisley High School in Winston Salem NC. He furthered his education at Winston Salem State University. Gregory was a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Gregory was united in holy matrimony with Mrs. Marilyn Smith on July 27, 1974, in Winston Salem, NC. Their union was blessed with a wonderful daughter, Ms. Genera Nicole Gilliam.



He enlisted into the United States Army on November 21, 1967, where he was an expert sharpshooter and marksman during the Vietnam War where he was honorably discharged on November 25, 1970. Honored with a Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Vietnam Campaign Medal, he received two O/S Bars representing a year overseas in a theater of war. He furthered his career and was employed by Salem Steel where he worked with sheet metal and then by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company as a Power Plant Operator where he retired in 2002.



He was a lover of all music, and it was a part of his daily life. He also enjoyed working with his hands making and "fixing" things. In his leisure time he always loved being outside. He had a green thumb and took pride in pruning "his yard" to near perfection. After retirement, he began to draw and paint, creating beautiful award-winning abstract art on canvas. Through his art, he expressed his love of African and Native cultures and his personal experiences.



Mr. Gregory Steve Gilliam departed this life on Friday March 10, 2023. He was preceded in death by his mother Ms. Mamie Plummer Gilliam, sisters Janice Gilliam and Florence Livingston, and his niece Erika Livingston all of Winston-Salem, NC.



He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Marilyn S. Gilliam, of the home, his daughter Genera Nicole Gilliam, Charlotte, NC, and his grandson Myles Alexander Gilliam, Charlotte, NC. Other family members include Brother-in-laws Harold Ray Smith, Kenneth D. Smith (Tommie), Daryl Smith (Mary), Sister-in law, Kathleen Little, Niece, Candice Livingston, Great Niece and Nephew, Azsane' and Trei Livingston, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. A public viewing will be held Sunday March19, 2023 from 1pm until 5pm at Douthit's. Funeral services will be held Monday March 20, 2023, at 12pm from Galilee Baptist Church and interment follow in Parklawn Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends at 11:30am. Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.