Luther Glen "Bud" Gilliam, 83 of Lebanon, IN passed away peacefully at his home Friday, June 14, 2024 with his loving family and many dear friends by his side.

Walter & Dora Hopper of Jamestown whom he affectionately referred to as "Mom and Dad Hopper" welcomed him into their family after his birth in Lebanon on February 2, 1941.  Bud would eventually split his time between the Hopper home & that of his biological mother, Myrtle (Gilliam) Caldwell & his step-father Don Caldwell.  Their newly blended family included sisters; Linda (Portish) and Melva Sue (Smith) Caldwell and later Pamela (Lonsdale) & Dennis. Melva Sue & Bud were in the same grade graduating together from Lebanon Senior High school with the class of 1959.  Their sibling bond remained despite the future divorce of their parents.

Bud proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1960-1964 where he was stationed in San Diego, California.  Following his honorable discharge from the Navy he married his high school classmate & friend of sister's Linda & Sue; Jere' (Buell) Gilliam on May 29th, 1965.

Bud & Jere' welcomed their first child, Jon Glen on June 9th, 1967 followed by their daughter, Crystal Lee on December 30th, 1970. They proudly raised & supported their children throughout their childhood in the Western Boone School district where they resided in Advance & later Jamestown.  Bud was an avid sports fan.  He started the youth basketball program at Granville Wells, coaching many teams over the years.

Bud worked for Chevrolet in Indianapolis before beginning what would be a 36-year career with Farm Bureau Insurance where he became an award-winning insurance agent including receiving the highest honor, being named the Farm Bureau Governor in 1986.

Bud was a master at juggling multiple business endeavors as he was never one to sit idle.  He and his wife co-owned Luther's restaurant in Dover in the late 80's.  After Luther's closed and driven by his love of sports and passion for collectibles & antiques he opened a store front; The Umpires Choice in the early 90's that remained open until 2005.  His variety of hobbies included playing basketball & softball, collecting coins, competing at car shows, watching high school sports, shooting the breeze with anyone and everyone and his Thursday night poker games.

His past memberships included:  The Lebanon Elks Lodge, The American Legion, VFW, Masonic Lodge, Murat Shrine.

Bud leaves behind, his children, Jon G (Julie) Gilliam of rural Lebanon, Crystal L. Gilliam of Lebanon; Grandchildren, Todd (Allyson) Morton of Lafayette; Sydney (Joshua) Hunt of Cloverdale; and Jack (Claire) Gilliam of rural Lebanon.  Great grandchildren, Griffin and Tucker Morton, Ada Hunt and Hank Gilliam.  Sister, Melva Sue Smith and Pamela Jo Lonsdale. Several nieces & nephews & numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by:  his wife, Jere', his parents; sister, Linda Portish; brother, Dennis Caldwell; brothers-in-law Alan (A.K.) Smith, H. Joseph Portish.

Friends and family will gather Thursday, June 20th for visitation from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. in the Strawmyer Drury Mortuary 2400 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon.  A funeral service will be held Friday, June 21st at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home.  He will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon. You are invited to visit the website where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message at www.strawmyerdrury.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Western Boone Athletic department.