Clayton B. Gillard

Clayton B. Gillard, 93, of Streator and formerly of the Olney area passed away Friday, August 28, 2020 at LaSalle County Nursing Home in rural Ottawa.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the Thrasher Funeral Home in Olney, Illinois. His grandson, Shayne Higgins will officiate.

Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Thursday at the Thrasher Funeral Home in Olney.

Burial will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, LaRon Higgins, Shayne Higgins, Kyle Higgins, Tyler Wright, Trevon Spencer and Jarrett Spencer.

Born March 27, 1927 in West Salem he was the son of Clarence W. and Ola “Babe” (Elkins) Gillard. He married Marie E. Schonert on August 22, 1954. She preceded him in death on October 20, 2012.

He is survived by his children, Barbara (Paul) Jenkinson of Azle, Texas, Gary Gillard of Utica and Pamela (Randy) Spencer of Streator; grandchildren, LaRon Higgins of Fort Worth, Texas, Shayne (Janis) Higgins of Azle, Texas, Kyle (Susan) Higgins of Austin, Texas, Theresa (Brandon) Hill of Springdale, Arkansas, Tyler (Megan) Wright of Streator, Trevon Spencer of Princeton and Jarrett Spencer of Streator; great grandchildren, Savannah and Harrison Higgins; Sydney, Sophie and Bowen Wright; several nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers, Grant Gillard and Sherman “Junior” Gillard; and sisters, Ilene Medler and Bernadine Smith.

Born and raised in West Salem he attended local schools.

He and his wife Marie settled in the Olney area for several years after their marriage before relocating to the Ottawa area.

Gill, as his friends would call him, was a carpenter with the Local 1092 out of Seneca and then Local 195 out of Ottawa. He worked on building the Nuclear Power plants as they were going up in the North Central Region.

He was a very talented craftsman who built and remodeled several homes in the Olney area prior to their move up north. He could build or fix anything.

Later he and his wife also owned and operated Gillard Mobile Home Accessories and Sales for several years in the Ottawa area.

He and Marie enjoyed traveling with family and friends all over the United States owning many different campers along the way. They also enjoyed several winters in Florida after their retirement.

They were devoted to their family and will be dearly missed by their loving family and friends.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

To send flowers to the family in memory of Clayton Gillard, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Thrasher Funeral Home

Thursday September 3rd, 2020

9:00am - 11:00am

945 S West St
Olney, IL 62450

Funeral Service

Thrasher Funeral Home

Thursday September 3rd, 2020

11:00am

945 S West St
Olney, IL 62450

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clayton B. Gillard, please visit our floral store.