Wiltje 'William' Y. Giliam, age 87 of Lynden, was taken to be with his Heavenly Father at St. Joseph Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Born in The Netherlands on August 13, 1921, he immigrated to the US in 1947 where he settled in Racine, Wisconsin. On June 25, 1957 he returned to Holland and married Sadie Van Der Werff and following their marriage the family lived both in Wisconsin and Artesia, California. In 1963 they moved to Lynden where Mr. Giliam operated a dairy farm on the H Street Road until his retirement. He enjoyed gardening and was a member of Covenant Grace Reformed Church.
Mr. Giliam is survived at home by his wife Sadie; son Sid (Sandra) Giliam and children Cassandra (Jeff) VanBoven (children Riley & Andrea), Leroy and Lance Giliam; son, Karl Giliam; son, John (Renee) Giliam and their children Theo and Grant all of Lynden; brothers Evert Giliam in Holland and Sjirk Giliam in Switzerland and sister Anneke Giliam also in Holland. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation hours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden.
Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery on Pangborn Road, on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Covenant Grace Reformed Church, 1227 Loomis Trail Road, Lynden, with Rev. Alan Camarigg officiating.
Memorials in William's name may be made to the charity of your choice.
