Mr. Glenn Gilyard

Obituary For Mr. Glenn Gilyard

Private funeral services will be held for Mr. Glenn Gilyard, 71, of 711 Hampton Drive NW, Orangeburg, SC.

Mr. Glenn Lee Gilyard ~ affectionately known as Pet, Pet Whamm, Longhead, Julio, Pops, Grandpa and Doogles ~ was born February 4, 1949 in Orangeburg, SC as the youngest of eleven children born to the late Willie & Sallie Mae (Stokes) Gilyard. He peacefully transitioned from life to glory June 12, 2020 at the Regional Medical Center.

At an early age, Mr. Gilyard attended Felderville African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was educated in Orangeburg County public schools and was a member of the Wilkinson High School Class of 1967. He then attended Claflin College before being drafted into the United States Army from September 1969 – January 1971. Mr. Gilyard completed one tour of duty during the Vietnam War as a 94B20 Culinary Specialist (aka - Cook) while assigned to G Company, 163rd Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, earning the rank of E-4/Specialist 4. His awards and decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device, Army Commendation w/Overseas Bar, and the Expert Marksmanship Badge (M-14). Upon the completion of his service, Mr. Gilyard received an Honorable Discharge from active duty, transferred into the Army Reserves and continued his education at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical Institute. From 1974 - 1992, Mr. Glenn Gilyard worked at Mayer Wildman as a Machinist. For 18 years, he gained mastery of every machine on the production floor. Most notably during his employment, he was known for his athleticism on the company’s softball team as an outfielder. In 1993, Glenn Gilyard moved to New York City to complete the Graduation Harlem Institute’s Refrigeration Course and worked for Sears as an Applicant Repair Refrigerant, Licensed Handler from 1995 until he retired in 2008.

Glenn Gilyard was united in marriage to the former Jean Marie Felder of Orangeburg, South Carolina on May 17, 1969. To this union, they had two children: Byron A. Gilyard and Drayton L. Gilyard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Sallie (Stokes) Gilyard, and five siblings: Samuel R. “Bubba” Gilyard, Catherine Fogle, Rosa M. Gilyard, Evelyn Sumpter, and Alberta Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife: Jean M. Gilyard, two sons: Byron A. Gilyard and Drayton L. Gilyard, four sisters: Sallie Fairnot, Cora Stinson, Sara Ross, and Willow Blocker, one brother: Willie Gilyard, Jr., three granddaughters: Raven Gilyard, Briana Gilyard, and Bianca Gilyard, two grandsons: Rashawn Gilyard and Jacob Gilyard-DaCosta, two great-grandchildren: Demetre Hills and Laiah Gilyard, two brothers-in-law: Jermain and Jamal Felder (Philadelphia, PA),four daughters-in-love: Chevelle Gilyard, Michelle Gilyard, Ruth Whitfield, and Krishna Gamble, and a whole host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 from 12:00pm – 7:00pm.

Friends may call at the residence, 711 Hampton Drive NW, Orangeburg between the hours of 4:00pm – 8:00pm daily or Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg, SC. Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions.

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