Debbie Gilliam

Debbie Gilliam, 64, of Plain City, Ohio died Thursday, November 29, 2018 in Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio after a very short fight with cancer.  Debbie was born on April 6, 1954 in London, Ohio; the oldest child of Byron “Barney” and Barbara (Sparks) Chesser.  She graduated from Madison Plains High School in 1973 and retired from the State of Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation after 30 years of service.  She was a competitive person and strived to be the best at everything she did. Her parents taught her the love of trapshooting as a young child and it is something she enjoyed throughout her life. She was highly ranked in the sport for many years. In 1998, she was the first woman to win the International Brother/Brother competition at the Grand American Trap shoot in Vandalia, Ohio with her brother, Fred Chesser.  Debbie was the first shooter, male or female, to ever break 200 straight targets at Blackwing Shooting Center, her favorite trap club. She also won the 16 yard Ladies’ Singles event at the Ohio State Shoot in 2003, 2004, and 2005. After eye issues forced her to stop shooting, she still spent time at clubs working with young shooters to help them improve in the sport that brought her so much happiness.  After her retirement, from work and shooting, she spent a lot of time crocheting and knitting and especially enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends. In recent years she discovered Diamond Painting and would spend hours creating beautiful pieces for others and for her own enjoyment. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Frederick Gilliam; her children, Susan Wright (Steven Henry), Brian (Jennifer) Gilliam, and Stacy (Steve) Benas; grandchildren, Zail Gammell, Harley, Jolee, and Leah Smith, Bryon Gilliam, Alexander and Helen Henry, and Paige Benas; siblings, Fred (Jodi) Chesser, Donna Smith, and Denise (Steve) Nibert; sister-in-law, Sharon Gilliam; niece, Sierra Smith; nephews, Seth and Nathanial Nibert; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Diana Chesser.  Family will receive friends Sunday 1-4 pm at TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026. A graveside service will be held 1 pm Monday at Forest Grove Cemetery, Plain City, OH with lifelong family friend Joe Berry officiating.