Mr. Gillis was born August 13, 1947, in Louisville, Mississippi, to Clyde and Myrtice Weeks Gillis. He was a member of Gum Branch Baptist Church and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Mr. Gillis was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he earned several medals including a Purple Heart and Medal of Valor. He served two years in the First Calvary division of the Armed Forces before receiving an honorable discharge.
Paul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lynda Strickland Gillis of Columbus, Mississippi; his mother, Myrtice Gillis, of Louisville; and two daughters, Amy Eairheart and husband, Richard; and Hope Moody and husband, Chad, all of Columbus. He loved being “Papa” to his five grandchildren: Taylor Eairheart; Dalton Moody; Landon Eairheart; Conerly Moody; and Hayes Moody. Also left behind to mourn his passing is his niece, Tina Higginbotham and husband, Ronnie; and a great-nephew, Ethan Higginbotham; his nephew, Robert Gillis and wife, Kristy; a great-nephew Burkett Gillis; and his sister-in-law, Lady Gillis. Mr. Gillis was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Gillis; and his brother, Rev. Phil Gillis.
Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Eairheart, Bud Gillis, Robert Gillis, William Gillis, Ethan Higginbotham, and Chad Moody. Honorary pallbearers will be Landon Eairheart, Burkett Gillis, Dalton Moody, and Hayes Moody. Memorials may be given to Gum Branch Baptist Church, 107 Pine Ridge Drive, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
