Gilliland, Warren Edwin

Warren Edwin Gilliland, 86, died suddenly Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at his home in Cedar Rapids. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at New Covenant Bible Church by The Rev. Bob Westfall and Rev. Kim Pagel. Private family interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Warren is survived by his wife of 56 years, Harriett; his brother, Maxfred; his son, Richard and wife Susan Gilliland of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Gerri Gilliland of New Berlin, Wis.; sons, John Gilliland of Marion and Jeffrey Gilliland of Wheaton, Ill.; grandson, James and wife Christina; grandsons, Stephen and David; and great-granddaughter Abigail.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Myles; sisters, Jackie and Shirley; and son, Timothy.

Warren Gilliland was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Frederick Everett Gilliland and Meda Miller Gilliland. He graduated from Omaha North High School. During World War II, he became an Air Force pilot and served as a flight instructor. Following the war, he received his mechanical engineering degree from Kansas State University. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 1951 to work for Collins Radio, and married Harriett Jean McLellan in Omaha on July 25, 1953. After working for Collins/Rockwell International, Warren was employed by Norand Corporation until retirement in 1991.

Warren had a quiet smile, a dry sense of humor, and was always loyal and helpful to family and friends. He was particularly tender in his care for his wife during her recent surgeries. Warren enjoyed sports, playing for many years on company and city softball teams and later taking up racquetball. He loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, and more recently participating in a walking group. He also appreciated music, particularly his grandsons' jazz band concerts and the music at New Covenant Bible Church, where he was actively involved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Warren's name to New Covenant Bible Church Building Fund or Camp Courageous.

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