Roll Call Tribute

Ashbel O. "Olin" Gilliam, Jr. 

December 21, 1947 - September 8, 2023 

Ashbel “Olin” Gilliam, Jr. passed from this life Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. He was 75.

Olin was born in Hondo, Texas in 1947 to Ashbel Olin Gilliam, Sr. and Joyce Lanelle Gilliam. Olin had three younger sisters, Linda, Cora and Renie. Olin grew up helping his father on the ranch north of Hondo. He graduated from Hondo High School where he enjoyed playing football and participating in 4-H, the highlight of which was a Good Will Tour to Germany.

Following high school Olin attended Texas A&I Kingsville where he graduated in 1971 with a BS in Agriculture. It was during that time at A&I that he met and married Judi Bammert of Weesatche, TX. For a short time Olin worked at Swift Meat Company before enlisting in the US Air Force. He did his first round of pilot training for the T37 jet and officer candidate school at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. In 1972 he was transferred to Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX to continue pilot training for the T38 Jet. From 1973 to 1975, he was transferred to California where he spent time at both Castle AFB and Mather AFB. He began flying B52 bomber missions over Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam while stationed in the Philippines.

After finishing his military service, Olin began his Master of Agriculture at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Upon completion of his masters degree, he began working at Cotulla Production Credit Association as a loan officer. During the Summer of 1981, Olin returned to Hondo and began working at the Hondo Livestock Auction and Gilliam Ranch. He retired in 2002. Olin served on the board of directors for Community National/TXN Bank for over 20 years.

In 2010, he married Theresa Johnson of Hondo, a lifelong friend, and they have spent the last 12 years enjoying travel, fun on Medina Lake and time with grandkids.

Olin’s grandchildren know him as “Wello”, who was the best cow caller around. They spent many hours riding around on the mule helping him feed and call the cows. Wello also made sure deer feeders were stocked with corn and deer blinds were ready for hunting season. Time on the lake with him will also be a treasured memory. His hugs and “I love you guys” will always be remembered.

Olin is survived by his wife Theresa Gilliam of 12 years and his children, Megan Brown and husband Chad of Canyon, Texas; Mandi Gilliam of Pflugerville, Texas; Ash Gilliam and wife Rebecca of Hondo; stepchildren Stacie Dowis and husband Will of Gunnison, Colorado and Jonathan Schoellman and wife Marsha of Hondo. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ellie, Avery, Kaydee, Trace, Luke and Tilley, as well as his sisters, Linda Hodges (Bill), Cora Rothe (Greg) and Renie Coyle (Doug), many nieces and nephews, and his former wife, Judi Gilliam. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m., pausing at 7 p.m. for recitation of the Rosary. Memorial Mass will be Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 12 noon, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Services will conclude at the church and a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorials be made to St. John the Evangelist Youth Center or the charity of your choice.