Rufus T. Gillam, a very special person, was born on May 7, 1920 in Montrose (Mich.), the son of Orie and Pearl (McCombs) Gillam. He was one of seven children. His family farmed in Montrose, and near Clio (Mich.). Because his family moved often, Rufus attended various schools including Naismith, Munsell, Montrose High School, and Flushing High School, from which he graduated in 1939. On Oct. 11, 1941 he was inducted into the US Army. Gillam served for four years in Battery A, 305th Coast Artillery, Barrage Ballon, 1st Platoon, Squad 1, which served in Hawaii, the Philippines, and participated in the invasion of Okinawa. After the war, Gillam attended Flint Junior College. He later graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. (1949) and the University of Michigan with a M.A. (1953). Gillam then began a career in education in Michigan schools. He taught biology and science at Oxford High School, 1949-1952, and 5th-6th grades at Manchester Elementary School, while serving as the Intermediate Supervisor of Manchester Public Schools, 1952-1956. From 1956 to 1968, Gillam served as Principal for kindergarten through 6th grades at Tecumseh Public Schools. He also taught Special Education, 1968-1985, for Livingston County Special Education in Howell. Gillam has received a number of awards for his outstanding teaching and volunteer efforts. On Dec. 29, 1956, Gillam married Wilma Speigelberg (Sept. 24, 1925-Nov. 4, 2005). A graduate of Manchester High School, Wilma worked as an R.N. at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor (Mich.) for 35 years. Wilma Gilliam died on November 4, 2005. Rufus T. Gillam died on October 30, 2008. (This information is from the collection.).
From the description of Papers, 1922, 2007. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 51463300
