Richard Mayo Gilley
Richard Mayo Gilley of League City Texas went to be with the Lord on the 6th day of November 2016 at his home in League City where he was a longtime resident. We lost a patriot to his country, a sub-serviant husband, a caring father a sweet uncle, & a devoted friend, who will be forever missed. He retired from NASA Space Center after 30 years of employment where he started as an Experimental Metalsmith and ended as an Inspector of Aircrafts.
Richard M Gilley was born on December 22, 1923 to James Wesley Gilley and Ruby Jo Mayo Gilley. The youngest of 7 siblings. Richard was part of the 1939 Champion Football team of Brownwood Jr High School. Richard was a decorated Sergeant in the United States Army Air Force Division 234th AAF BU out of Clovis NM he fought in the campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe and Air off Europe. He separated from the branch of service as a decorated 6 star Sergeant with a Good Conduct Medal and 3 Overseas Service Bars. He loved playing tennis and kept a very active lifestyle.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruby Gilley, wife Doris J Bussey Gilley, Brothers Hoyt and Walter and Sisters Edith, LeEtta, and Jimmie. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Dianne Gilley. He is also survived by nieces Gaye McDonald and husband Chuck, Pamela McAlister and husband Ken, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 6-8:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home in League City Texas, with interment on Friday at 11am Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early Texas.
This is nephew Bill Cross and wife Brenda in Riverton, Wyoming. We just got the news of Richard’s passing this morning. He was a wonderful human being, and will be missed most by those who knew him well. We will think of him often.
My dear friend Richard I will miss you dearly. As a caregiver I hope I served you well. And as a friend of six years I hope I was all you expected in a friend and more. I love you and Richie loves you too. Until we meet again love Diana
Dearest Sweet Uncle Richard,
You lived a long and good, meaningful life. I thank Our Lord that my husband & I were able to fly to Houston, meet Diana, spend two nights in League City & drive Richard up to my sister’s in Ft Worth, where she & her husband had a party on Richard’s 91st birthday. We were unable to stay there for Christmas, but Richard was, and then he was driven back home by Pam & Ken. They even drove down again earlier in the year and wanted to bring Richard up to Ft. Worth, but he wanted to stay at home in League City. I know you’re in heaven.
Love, Gaye & Chuck
This is nephews Charles, Warren and wife Janie Cross from Huntington,AR. Charles: “I was so glad I got to visit with Uncle Richard recently. He was a very special Uncle, and I will miss him very much.” Warren: ” I deeply regret I never had the opportunity to spend much time with Uncle Richard; but, he was the kind of person you could spend 2 minutes with and you knew he was made of great stuff. While we didn’t get to go down and visit, we always knew he was there. I sure am going to miss you Uncle Richard.”
Sharon, We are sorry for your loss. God bless you.
We will miss Uncle Richard who was a true patriot. He served his country well during World War II. He was always a good guy who tried to do the right thing for his family, friends and neighbors. We will miss his smile and his phone calls to check on us. He always answered the phone with “What’s going on?” We loved that. Special thanks to his caregiver, Diana Brown, for being his friend and being responsible for his healthcare. God bless you Diana.
I continue to grieve the loss of Mr. Gilley, my sweet and precious neighbor. He loved my family so well. My oldest sons knew him the best of my four children and we all miss him greatly. I wish so much that I had been more involved in his life during the last years of his life. Despite not being able to hear that well, or see us very well due to his glaucoma, he always had a smile on his face when he realized we were near. God bless you Mr. Gilley and I hope so very much to see you again in heaven someday.