James William "Jay" Gilley

A memorial service honoring the life of James William Gilley, 96, of Grandview, Texas will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Grandview with the Rev. Tina Schramme officiating.
James was born to James Franklin and Tylene (Goen) Gilley in Lubbock, Texas on December 12, 1924 and joined our Lord in heaven on January 17, 2021.
He married Lula Juanita Foust on April 8, 1944. After her passing, he married Dawn Marie Paape on December 15, 2007 and was married to her at the time of his passing.
James served under General McArthur in the army during WWII from July 27, 1944 until July 31, 1946. He received a purple heart and several other citations making him a highly decorated WWII Veteran. James also received Certificates of Accommodations by President Truman and served as an MP in Honolulu.
James loved music and played the guitar, fiddle and harmonica as well as being a great vocalist. He wrote several great songs and they were made into records with son Mike as vocalist and Bill as bass player.
James had also played on the radio with his grandfather, who was a one armed fiddler, and enjoyed sitting with family and just playing music. He competed in several fiddling contests with several wins to his credit.
James was very active in pigeon racing clubs in Johnson County and was sought out for his knowledge of the birds. This was a favorite hobby of his.
James was a loyal husband, a great Dad, Step-dad, and wonderful Pepaw/Pappy. He loved his family with his whole heart. In any crowd you would find him reliving his past army life. James had a wealth of knowledge regarding WWII history and believed sharing was the best therapy.
He never met a stranger and was always proud of every age milestone that he was blessed to achieve.
James enjoyed going with wife Dawn anywhere she would take him, especially Winstar or to the local store for scratch offs.
He also leaves behind a huge host of friends and extended family and will be missed by all that were blessed to know him.
James was preceded in death by his parents, James Franklin and Tylene (Goen) Gilley; wife, Lula Juanita (Foust) Gilley; sons, Michael Joe Gilley and William Henry Gilley; grandson, Bryant William Wilson; and sisters, Christine Geuike and Billie Jean Batton.
Survivors include wife, Dawn Marie (Paape) Gilley; daughters, Diana Faye (Gilley) Terry and husband Dennis, and Melissa Wilson and husband, Richard; step daughters, Victoria Macias and husband, Ben, Taira Davis and husband, Jason, and Natalie Marriott; sister, Helen Shetter; brother, Bob Gilley; and daughters-in-law, Louise Gilley and Belinda Gilley.
James is also survived by grandchildren, Cindy Petty, Michael Gilley and wife, Kema, Toby Martin and husband, Mark, Tabby Anderson and husband, Randy, Tad Gilley, Roy Grissom and wife, Jana, Michael Terry, Jonathan Terry, Jessica Terry, Alecia Gilchrist and husband, Mike, Sarah Macon and husband, Will, Jacey Wilson, Mikaela Scott and husband, Kendrick, Rhett Macias, Natasha Marriott, Tylor Snow and wife, Lacee, Dakota Price, Chase Price, and Caterino Davis; great grandchildren,
Miranda Hamill and husband, Cole, Ryan Gilley, Megan Martin, Shelby Martin, Tyler Anderson and Kennedy Jentsch, Jake Anderson and wife, Rylie, Maycie Anderson, Talyn Gilley, Tate Gilley, Kaylee Weaver and husband, Byron, Cody Grissom and Desiree Casas, Tucker Gilchrist, Carli Gilchrist, Fisher Macon; and great-great grandchildren,
Kamryn Gilley, Kimber Gilley, Mason Grissom, McKoy Anderson, Hazel Snow, and Haylo Snow.