Mexia Daily News - May. 19, 2005 edition

Wortham man victim of traffic fatality
by Bob Wright - Editor

James Wayne Gilliam, 25, of Wortham, was killed in a Saturday morning traffic
accident south of Groesbeck when apparently he lost control of the vehicle he
was driving.

Mr. Gilliam was employed with Goodman Heating & Air Conditioning of Groesbeck
and was driving his company's vehicle when the tragedy occurred shortly before
10 o'clock. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the victim was
not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Wortham man had been northbound on Farm-to-Market Road 937 about three
miles south of Groesbeck when he lost control of his 2000 Chevrolet pickup
truck. Investigators say the mishap occurred as the driver rounded a curve.
According to the investigation, the vehicle left the road, striking several
trees and a fence post.

Gilliam was engaged to be married to Crystal McHargue of Wortham, and was a
heating and air conditioning Technician for the Groesbeck firm. He was a native
of Bedford, born on July 31, 1979.

Funeral services for Mr. Gilliam were conducted Monday morning at 10 o'clock in
First Baptist Church of Wortham. Officating were the Reverends Steve Schulte,
pastor, and Sonny Rice. Burial was in Sardis Cemetery (Leon County), under
direction of Porter Chapel-Wortham.

Surviving are his mother and step-father, Gloria and Don Murphy of Wortham; his
fiancee', Crystal McHargue of Wortham; two sisters, Susan Rice and husband
Matlock of Sealy, and Rita Gilliam of Hurst; a brother, Robert W. Gilliam, Jr.,
of Fort Worth; two nephews, Casey Rice and Cade Rice, both of Sealy; a niece,
Robbin Rice of Sealy; three step-sisters, Donna Rula, Tita Tucker and Tracy
Devers, and a step-brother, Randy Murphy.

Pallbearers were Cade Rice, Casey Rice, David McHargue, Rhett Butler, John
Knotts and Scott Holmes.