Obit of James W. Gulliford Jr.

Many here knew Jim. 

James W. “Jim” Gulliford Jr., 74, of Forrest, passed away 4:05 p.m. Friday (April 6, 2018) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Rose Catholic Church, Strawn, with Father Scott Archer officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Forrest. According to his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following services. Burial will be at a later date at Forrest Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to Forrest Historical Society. Jim was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Fairbury, a son of James W. Sr. and Delpha Mae (Davis) Gulliford. He married Joyce Doyle on Oct. 12, 1963, in Ivesdale. She survives in Forrest. Also surviving are his children, Brad (Gail) Gulliford, Forrest; Leslie Gulliford (Pete Victora), Muscoda, Wis.; and Scott (Amy) Gulliford, Shorewood; five grandchildren, Derrick, Mitchell, Natalie, Nick, and Grace Gulliford; two sisters, Jacque (Bob) Schrock and Debbie (Ron “Tiss”) Steidinger, all of Forrest. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim was educated in Forrest schools. He worked for Honegger Farms from 1963 to 1971. In August 1971, he went to work for Nichols Homeshield (Quanex) in Chatsworth. He worked his way up to vice president of building products before retiring in 2004. He was currently the village of Forrest resident (mayor), serving for the last 10 years. Jim was a visionary for the town of Forrest with his latest project being transitioning the village offices to the former St. James Mission, as well as voting and all senior citizen activities for easier accessibility. Jim served on the board of directors for Futures Unlimited in Pontiac, eight years on the Foundation Board at Gibson Area Hospital, and on the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Committee Board. He was a member of the Forrest Lions Club for more than 15 years. He also served as the treasurer for the Forrest Historical Society and was instrumental in the restoration of the Hampsher Hotel and the Wabash Train Depot. Jim was a member of the St. Andrew’s Catholic Parish. He loved golfing with his dad, sons, grandkids, Wednesday morning group at Wolf Creek, and in Arizona. He enjoyed going to Arizona to White Sox spring training every year, old juke boxes, '50s and '60s records, and antique cars.