William R. "Ralph" Gillam, age 88 of Elwood, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Community Parkview Care Center following declining health and a long well-lived life.  He was born on April 10, 1929 in Elwood, the son of Ora and Martha (McQuitty) Gillam.  Ralph worked as an injection mold specialist at Delco-Remy division of General Motors in Anderson for 36 years and retired in 1985.  Ralph was a 1947 graduate of Frankton High School.  He married the love of his life, Bernice E. Parr, on April 15, 1950, and they shared over 66 years of marriage together before her passing in 2016.  Ralph was active in the Indiana National Guard for 9 years.  Early in life, he also worked at Hutchison's Orchard in Frankton; worked as an assembler at the Elwood John Deere Dealership; and worked as a grounds keeper at the Elwood Country Club.  During the 1940's, he was also a floor manager and disc jockey at the Alexandria skating rink, and later raised racing pigeons for several years in the 1960's.  Ralph was a devoted member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood, and also a member of the U.A.W. #662 in Anderson.  He was formerly an avid bowler for many years and bowled in several leagues at Wells Lanes in Elwood.  Ralph especially enjoyed carpentry and woodworking all of his life, and formerly worked with Steve Sizelove Construction for a time.  Ralph was proud to have built the Gillam family home in West Elwood that is still owned today.  After retirement, he took up oil painting, and also taught himself how to play the organ.  Ralph especially enjoyed annual week-long family vacations, where he and his family spent time fishing together.  He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ralph's family legacy includes 3 sons, William "Bill" (wife Claudia) Gillam of Elwood, Larry (wife Pam) Gillam of Elwood, and Randy (wife Cindy) Gillam of Tipton; daughter, Melinda (husband Kent) Sharp of Elwood; daughter-in-law, Brenda Gillam of Elwood; brother, Dannie Gillam of Elwood; 4 sisters-in-law, Marge (husband Ebe) Cotton of Fishers, Shirley Rohrer of Carmel, Carolyn Plake of Tipton, and Sondra Parr of Kokomo; 9 grandchildren, Blair (wife Charlotte) Gillam, Aaron (wife Anna) Gillam, Adam (wife April) Gillam, Andrea (husband Tommy) Hart, Sarah (husband Steve) Poehlein, Jason (wife Susan) Gillam, Elizabeth Sharp, Emily (husband Chris) Werline, and Kyle Gillam; 17 great-grandchildren and another expected in March; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice E. Gillam in 2016; son, Philip Gillam in 2011; 3 brothers, John (wife Frances) Gillam, Don (wife Eunice) Gillam, and Dale (wife Leah) Gillam; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Gillam.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Ralph's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St. Joseph Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home, and will include a Rosary Service at 6:30 PM that evening.  Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.