Mr. Randal Ervin Gilliland, age 70 of Susan Moore, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023.

He was born into a farming family and learned to farm at a young age, combining school with farming and later athletics. Randal started playing football in junior high school. He was a natural athlete and excelled at football and track. He broke records in rushing, total offense and scoring. In his senior year he was an honorable mention on the All American Football Squad. He also ran a trucking business during the big coal boom in this area. He had a love of flying and was flying his own plane during his teen years. This led to his eventual career of being a commercial airline pilot starting in1989 and ending with retirement in 2018. Knowing he would be retiring young from flying as an airline pilot he started pursuing another dream, owning a sawmill. He started in 2005 and was open for business in 2006 running it part time while still flying. He sold the business in 2022 but was still working and training the new owner at the time of his death. He was a dedicated member of the community, serving 8 years on the town council and was the current mayor.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years – Jan Holmes Gilliland; his fur babies – Tessa, Tate, Jessy, and Lucky; siblings – Lee Littenburg, Durwood Gilliland, Lera Jane Chacon (Javier), Vandel Gilliland (Myra), and Teresa Dawkins (Tony); honorary sister – Delores Thompson; sisters-in-law – Lori Dempsey (Robby) and Kim Tidwell (Jesse); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and friends.

Mr. Gilliland is preceded in death by his parents – Russell Ervin and Gertrude Lera (Kent) Gilliland and parents-in-law – Sam and Carol Holmes.

Brother Tyler Gilliland and Brother Billy Ray Robertson will conduct the Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Grace Baptist Church. The family will receive friends, at Grace Baptist Church, from 2:00 PM until service time.