Mr. James Madison "Jim" Gilliland, age 80, of Lyerly, GA, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Advent Health Redmond.

Mr. Gilliland was born March 12, 1943, in Trion, GA, son of the late Richard Gilliland and Mozell Yancey Gilliland.  He was a member of Lyerly Methodist Church, and prior to his retirement, was employed as a counselor with Hayes State Prison.  Mr. Gilliland was also a proud citizen of the Town of Lyerly where he had served on the City Council., veteran of the U.S. Navy. He loved his family and was an avid fisherman and fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Dean Gilliland; and a granddaughter, Chelsea Gilliland.

Survivors include his sons, Jason (Christie) Gilliland, James Gilliland; grandchildren, Mason Gilliland, McKenzie Gilliland, and T.J. Gilliland.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, December 18, 2023, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Marshall Bryan officiating with  Interment with military honors

will follow in Lyerly Cemetery.  Pallbearers, Jason Gilliland, James Gilliland, Kevin Gilliland, Lamar Gilliland, Billy Gilliland, Chance Gilliland. Honorary pallbearers will be special friend, Sandra Gregg; the Girls at Jim's Restaurant, and all of his former teammates in Midget Football.

Mr. Gilliland will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service on Monday.