Clifford Merritt "Wild Bill" Gilyard

GILYARD, Mr. Clifford Merritt "Wild Bill"- age 90, passed away, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at his residence. Family Hour 10:30AM Friday, April 22, 2016 at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 174 Branch St. with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Rev. Keyon S. Payton M. Div. Senior Pastor. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 North Perry Street. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Friday. Mr. Gilyard will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 3:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday. Mr. Clifford Merritt “Wild Bill” Gilyard, son of Willie Gilyard and Ruth (Chapman) Gilyard was born November 11, 1925 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He attended Knox County Schools and was a graduate of Austin High School. After his move to Michigan he met and married Rose Bell Dinkins, they shared sixty-three wonderful years together. Cliff professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Cliff was drafted into the Army in 1943 and was a veteran of World War II and served in the Army as a Staff Sergeant of the Motor Pool. After serving four years he became employed as the Head Mechanic for the Price Brothers where he worked for thirty-one years. In his spare time he loved to fish, work on boats and cars, and he was known for his love for Cowboy Hats. Cliff quietly departed this life Thursday April 14, 2016 at home surrounded by his loved ones. His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his three children: Larry T. Gilyard Sr. and Michael Wardlaw both of Pontiac, MI, Shelby Hayward of Cleveland, OH; thirteen grandchildren, including special granddaughter, Andrea Ballentine of Pontiac, MI; eighteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; sister, Willa Dean Willis of Knoxville, TN; sister-in-law, Lettie Kyles; brother-in-law, Robert (Sue) Dinkins all of Pontiac, MI; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including special friends, Deacon Earl Brown and James Yeargin. Mr. Gilyard was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Gilyard; children, Douglas and Sharon Gilyard; grandchildren, Michael Wardlaw Jr. and Ardra Gilyard; parents, Willie and Ruth Gilyard.

Clifford Merritt "Wild Bill" Gilyard

November 11, 1925 - April 14, 2016