Lawrence William Gilliam

Spiritual soul, family man, and lifelong dancer at heart

Lawrence “Bill” Gilliam, born on January 10, 1951, slipped peacefully into the next realm on April 16, 2026, guided — as he always believed — by love, energy, and the unseen connections that shape our lives. He was preceded in death by his father, Will T. Gilliam, his mother, Maxine E. Markwith, brothers Ronald and Michael Gilliam and sister Roxanne Weston. He is survived by his life partner, Matthew Greene, his children, Jennifer Glasgow, Kelly (Christopher) Long, Shon (Amy) Gilliam, and Charlotte (Erich) Teuton, sister, Annie (Dion) Merriman, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other family and friends.

A devoted spiritualist, Bill approached the world with curiosity and reverence, convinced that every moment carried meaning and every soul had a story.

Bill’s greatest joy, without question, was his family. Nothing lit him up more than having all four of his children together in one place. Those gatherings were his personal paradise — full of laughter, teasing, storytelling, and the kind of noisy love that made him feel whole. Becoming a grandfather, and later a great‑grandfather, added new layers of pride and tenderness. By then he was older and a bit more fragile, but he adored watching the generations unfold around him. Even when he couldn’t join the chaos, he loved being in the room where it happened.

In his younger years, Bill could jitterbug like the floor was on fire. Dancing was his language — joyful, rhythmic, and a little bit showy. Even when age caught up with him, the rhythm never left; it just lived in his smile instead of his feet. His humor, however, stayed fully intact. Bill had a famously dirty mind delivered with a perfectly innocent expression, a combination that made his kids groan and his friends laugh until they cried.

For 31 years, Bill shared his life with his beloved partner, Matthew Greene. Their bond was steady, warm, and deeply rooted — a partnership built on devotion, patience, and the comfort of knowing you’ve found your person. Together they made a home in Florida, the place Bill loved most. Sunshine, palm trees, ocean air — it was the perfect setting for a man who believed in energy, connection, and the quiet magic of simply being alive.

Bill leaves behind a lifetime of stories that will be retold with affection, laughter, and the occasional “Okay, but don’t tell the kids he said that.”

He lived with humor, heart, and a spirit that never stopped reaching for something beyond the ordinary. And if there is a next place — and Bill was certain there is — he’s already exploring it with curiosity, cracking jokes, and maybe even finding a dance floor.

May his journey continue with the same wonder, warmth, and light that defined his life.