Dale Dean Gilliam

Dale Dean Gilliam died on October 12, 2022 in New Orleans, LA at the age of 89. He was born in Webb City, Missouri on November 10, 1932 where he graduated from Webb City High School. Dale then studied petroleum engineering at Missouri School of Mines and management at University of Virginia. While in college, Dale’s college basketball team nickname was “Legs Giliiam,” referring to his muscular, long legs. Joining the United States Navy, he then graduated from The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

While in Monterey, CA, Dale also met his future wife, Joncie (“Joni”) Evans, at an ice cream store near the beach. He asked her for a date, but she replied that she did not go on “car dates,” but agreed to meet him on the beach for a hot dog instead. Dale laughingly reminisced about his meeting with Joni by saying that he just “followed her ponytail.” Jonice would reply that she “fell in love with the uniform.”

As a self-made man, Dale originally joined Amoco Production Corporation in Kingsville,Texas. Over the years, Dale’s brilliant mind and outstanding leadership skills impacted his illustrious career and catapulted him up the corporate ladder that ultimately placed him in the position of Amoco’s Vice-President of Production Technology and Service in Houston, Texas. During his tenure with Amoco, Dale and Joni moved over seventeen times back and forth to Jackson, Lake Charles, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, and Houston. He traversed the world with his executive business connections in international locations such as Egypt, Siberia, Canada, and London.

Dale was actively involved in professional organizations including the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the Association of Retired Executives. He engaged in his talents and applied his leadership skills in personal interests such as serving on the founding Board membership of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in New Orleans, LA and Board member of Epiphany Catholic Church in Katy, Texas. Dale was a revered golfer and enjoyed sharpening his golfing skills with friends on the greens of Pine Forest Golf and Country Club in Katy, Texas.

Dale had numerous interests that he pursued with a passion. He loved fly fishing and hunting pheasant and quail. His backyard was always lush with blooming flowers. Dale loved to dance and never missed a chance to sweep Joni around a dance floor. Evenings were savored with a good cigar while sipping Jack Daniels. Extremely sociable, Dale could work the room and touch each person in it. He never raised his voice and was respectful to all he met. His funny sayings and outgoing personality was key to his magnetism in making friends. Dale was wise and kind and also sought after as someone who was always present to those around him. Dale had an expression that he shared often, “Everybody is different and everybody is special.” One of Dale’s favorite activities was planning the annual family trip where many family memories were born. As a devout Catholic with his faith at his core, Dale attended Mass every Sunday.

As the quintessential family man, he was a devoted husband and is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joni. As a doting father Dale is also survived by his adoring daughters, Kathryn (“Kathy”) Gilliam Waltemath (David) and Laurie Gilliam Onofrey (Robert). A proud grandfather, Dale is survived by five wonderful grandchildren: David Scott Waltemath, Kelly Kristine Waltemath (Christopher Wall), Kevin Dale Onofrey, Kaitlin Onofrey Sando (Cameron), and Hayley Onofrey Anderson (Connor). Dale’s true mission in life was making sure that everyone in his family was happy and a special gift of compassion in anticipating the needs of others.

Dale’s family wants to express their sincere gratitude to Hope Fitzhugh, Earline Clark, Tri Faison, Trena White, Rita D’Avonzo, and Wuilder Lagos. They are also deeply appreciative of the spiritual care of Reverend Father Terry Hayden and Dr. Father Joseph Krafft.

A private funeral Mass in celebration of Dale’s life was held recently with family in attendance. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends share an act of kindness in honor of Dale.