Rolland Ray Gillham

It is with heavy hearts and deep gratitude we announce the passing of our beloved Rolly at the age of 89 on October 14, 2024. Rolland Ray Gillham was born on Feb. 8, 1935, in Lincoln, NE to John and Opal (Roach) Gillham. Most of his youth was spent in Nebraska, but most of his adult life he moved around through the southwest, and he spent the last 47 years living in Texas. Rolly enlisted in the Air Force shortly before meeting his future wife, Bonnie Jean Dove. Throughout their time apart, Rolly sent hundreds of love letters to his wonderful wife, and the family still has those letters to this day. Most of his career was in the liquor industry working for Safeway, Hiram Walker and he served as the president of Lone Star Distributing in the Texas region. During that time, he was given the nickname “Boss Hoss” when leaving the Chicago area to move to Texas. Upon retiring from this career, he founded RAM Marketing which mostly catered to the liquor industry and he ran the business until shortly after the passing of his wife Bonnie in April 2011.

Rolly and Bonnie raised their sons Ron and Greg mostly in New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. He often coached the boys in various sports and loved his family fiercely. He was always reminding his sons and grandchildren just how important they all were to him. A man of unwavering faith, Rolly walked closely with God in every step of his journey. His service to others was an extension of that faith and he was always ready to offer help, lend an ear, or roll up his sleeves when family or friends were in need. If you had a problem you could count on “Boss Hoss” to be there, often arriving before you even had a chance to call.

He was also an entrepreneur through and through. No idea was too wild, no venture too difficult. He had a way of making things happen, always turning dreams into reality with his characteristic determination and charm. From small beginnings to big successes, he excelled at anything he put his heart to. That twinkle in his eye when something worked out was unmistakably the “Boss Hoss” in his prime.

At the young age of 80, Rolly met Sieta at the independent living facility where he was living after Bonnie passed. She was recently widowed as well, and the story is they met downstairs playing pool in the community room, and the rest was history! They spent several exciting years traveling back and forth to her home in South Africa until Sieta/Siska had to relocate to a memory care facility in Dallas. Rolly then moved to be near his son in Austin. Sieta/Siska gave him a renewed zest for life, and it was fun to see their love blossom.

His presence was filled with laughter, love, and of course the sweet aroma of his favorite tobacco pipe, which was a sure sign he was savoring a day well spent. Rolly lived by simple yet powerful truths: Love big, serve often, dream fearlessly, and always make time for dessert! While we will miss him deeply, we will carry his spirit with us in the way we treat others, the risks we take, and yes, in every spoonful of ice cream.

Rolly is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bonnie, and his son Ron. He is survived by his immediate family, son Greg (Leslie) Gillham, grandchildren Danny (Laura) Gillham, Christy and David Gillham, Hallie Ungerson and great-grandchildren Hailey and Hannah. Per his wishes, his ashes will be spread with Bonnie in Estes Park in Colorado.