Robert “Bob” Wayne Gilliland, 82, of Arvada, Colordo, died Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Broomfield, Colorado, following a long battle with leukemia.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 at Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Crown Hill at 7777 W 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Robert “Bob” Wayne Gilliland was born May 17, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the youngest son of two born to Ward and Agnes (Bailey) Gilliland. At the age of two, the family wanted a new adventure and moved to Wayne, Nebraska in 1943.
Bob attended a small rural elementary school through 8th grade and moved onto Wayne High School where he was involved in football, basketball & track and graduated in 1960. Bob served in the United States Army and was deployed to Vietnam, and after two years of service and defending his country, he returned to Wayne to help with the family farm. Bob then attended Wayne State Business College and graduated with a degree in business.
Looking for a change of scenery, Bob moved to Denver, Colorado in 1965, where he met the love of his life, Arlene Inez Aeverman from Golden, Colorado. On Aug. 30, 1969 they were married at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Downtown Denver.
They bought a house in Applewood, Colorado and were blessed with twin sons, Kevin and Kurt in November of 1975.
In 1979 they moved to Arvada, Colorado where they enjoyed spending time with their children and the company of neighbors.
Bob worked mainly as a purchasing agent for companies Sundstrand and Hydrogate and then odd jobs as a truck driver and associate at the Price Club. He was then hired as a driver for the Denver Auto Auction by Manheim and Car Express. Bob really enjoyed driving different styles of cars, trucks and SUVs from dealerships across the state back to the auction lot. Fun was had by all in the van shuttle driving to the different dealerships. He built great relationships with the other drivers and management. They referred to him as the “The Colonel”
Bob enjoyed watching his sons play softball, flag football and even became a pitcher for their kickball team. He loved bowling, going to dinner with his neighbors and making trips up to gamble in Blackhawk and spending time with his sons and their families, family in Nebraska as well as many friends.
Survivors include two sons, Kevin (Angela) Gilliland and Kurt (Kris) Gilliland; four step-grandchildren, Brittany (Aaron) Esparsen, Drew Oenes, Cloe (Will) Flores, Tyler (Danelle) Oenes and four step grandchildren, Louie, Ryleigh, Asher and Luca; sisters-in-law, Doris Gilliland of Wayne; Georgine (Ron) Hetrick of Windsor, Colorado; and Juanita Daugherty of Golden, Colorado; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Agnes Gilliland; his brother, Darrel Gilliland; and his wife, Arlene Gilliland.
