Andy Gillilan

BELL CITY, Mo. — Andy James Gillilan, 94, of Bell City passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017, at his home.

He was born Dec. 10, 1922, in Highland, Arkansas, the son of Earl and Sally Pilkington Gillilan Sr.

Andy served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945, the U.S. Army Air Force from 1945 to 1948 and the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1952. He served in World War II and the Korean War.

He graduated from the University of Texas-Austin with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a field engineer with American Machine and Foundry in Texas and California. Andy was a senior mechanical plant engineer with Bell Helicopter from 1962 to 1991.

Andy and Shelby DeJournett were united in marriage Sept. 14, 2005, in Harrison, Arkansas, and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include four stepsons, Mark Adams of Puxico, Missouri, Phillip Adams of Advance, Missouri, David Adams of Zalma, Missouri, and John Adams of Des Moines, Iowa; two stepdaughters, Sonja McLeary of Zalma and Sara Lacy of Bell City; two brothers, Earl Gillilan Jr. of Arlington, Texas, and Virgil Gillilan of Virginia; 22 stepgrandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and two brothers.

Visitation and funeral service were Saturday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, with the Revs. Jared Hancock and Ricky Chambless officiating.

Burial will be Tuesday at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston, Missouri.