Obituary of Stephen Dalton Gilliam

Dad’s Obituary Stephen “Steve” Dalton Gilliam, age 66, passed away suddenly on November 16, 2025, with his family by his side. An unexpected but brief battle with cancer, his illness came quickly and without warning, leaving those who loved him with the difficult truth that there’s no right or fair way for these moments to unfold; they never happen in a way that provides enough closure. Born in Strathroy and raised in London, Steve spent nearly all his life in the city he cherished, raising his family there and forming countless friendships along the way. Steve is survived by his wife and favourite co-adventurer, Annora (Harle) Gilliam, with whom he shared a love of travel, cooking, and scouting out the best grocery store deals. He was a proud father and is survived by his son Cory Gilliam and his sons, Harrison and Hendrik. He is also survived by his daughter Catie Gilliam, her husband Mike MacLeod, and their three boys Colborne, Broderick, and Benson. He adored being “Bumpa” to his grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in his heart. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Evelyn Gilliam, and by his brother Mark Gilliam. Steve is remembered by Mark’s widow Jo-Ann and their daughters Robyn and Jenica. He also had a deep, lifelong bond with his cousin Sue Gilliam, who was like a sister to him, and was cherished by her children Heather and Andrew McKie. And, of course, he is reunited with his beloved dog Bailey, who surely greeted him with a wagging tail, ready for a long walk. A proud Western University graduate and the first in his family to earn a university degree, Steve built a 30-plus-year career with WSIB. In retirement, after which he earned his paralegal license and launched his own consulting practice, continuing his lifelong passion for helping others. He was the kind of man who turned everyday errands into conversations, especially in the grocery store, where he happily chatted with strangers about what they were planning to cook. Steve loved books, music of nearly every genre, concerts, theatre, and any excuse to fire up the grill. A lover of baseball, football, and hockey, he took the Blue Jays’ World Series loss this year harder than most, and he even spoke about the Grey Cup right up until the end with classic Steve enthusiasm. He and Annora embraced retirement as a chance to explore the world, travelling through Europe and Iceland together. But his greatest joy was always his family. The arrivals of his five grandsons brought him immense pride and a joy that lit him up from the inside out. He had a special bond with each child and treasured every moment with them. With a warm heart, a quick wit, and a gift for making people feel welcome, Steve left an imprint everywhere he went. He loved a good laugh, a good meal, and good company, and he gave those things generously in return. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at The Alibi Roadhouse on December 10th, 2025 from 1:00–5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ronald McDonald House would be gratefully accepted. The organization supported Steve’s family when his grandson Broderick was in the hospital earlier this year. https://www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.ca/donate