John David Gillian, 85 of Columbus, MS passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS.

A memorial service will be Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel, Columbus, MS with Mike Smith officiating and Jeff Smith assisting.

Mr. Gillian was born June 7, 1931 in Chenoa, IL to the late John Wesley and Aubrey Looney Gillian and married Vera Hinchliffe Gillian in 1952 in Warrington, England.  Mr. Gillian retired as a Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force in 1970 after 20 years of service.  He moved to Columbus, MS 51 years ago from Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda.  Mr. Gillian also retired after 28 years of service as an aircraft welder with Civil Service and Dynacorp.

Mr. Gillian is survived by his wife of 64 years – Vera Hinchliffe Gillian, Columbus, MS; sons – Michael W. (Elizabeth) Gillian, Jeffrey L. (Amy) Gillian, and David M. (Donna) Gillian; grandchildren – John J. Gillian, Ashley Gillian, Alicia Gillian, Aubrey K. Thomas, Dottie Wheat, Dylan Pounders; great-grandchildren - John Thomas Cayden Gillian, David Jace Tyler Gillian, Alexus Tatiana Makenzie Gillian, Brookelle Elisabeth Perrigin, John Patrick Wheat, and William Anthony Wheat.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS  39213.