Ralph E. Gilliam, 81, of Searcy, Arkansas, died Wednesday, February 18, 2009. He was born September 13, 1927, at Crosby, Arkansas to Byars and Vevil Gilliam. Ralph was a retired farmer and drove truck for Barger Oil Co. He was a Baptist and an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, where he was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Nancy Gilliam of Searcy; one son, Randy Gilliam; one daughter, Sheila Halford, both of Beebe; five grandchildren; one brother, Pete Gilliam of Beebe; and one sister, Susie Coffey of Floyd.