Orval Gilleland

Orval Ray Gilleland went to be with the Lord on May 6, 2009. He was born July 18, 1924 in Sperry, OK and resided in Tulsa, OK for 60 years. Orval is preceded in death by his parents Orval Ray and Florence, Sperry, OK. Orval enlisted in the National Guard in 1943. He served as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in Naples and Rome until 1945 and was honorably discharged as Corporal, Service Battery 160th Field Artillery Battalion with two Bronze Stars, a World War II Victory Ribbon as well as others. He married Betty Jo in August of 1946 and they resided in Miami, OK where Orval went to North Eastern Oklahoma Junior College and graduated with his Associates Degree. Orval and Betty Jo moved to Tulsa in 1948 and worked for Sigler Sales & Service as a service man and was promoted to service manager. In 1964 Orval purchased and ran Sigler Sales & Service for 36 years until he retired in 2000. For several years he and Betty Jo enjoyed being apart of the Indian Nations Ramblers and the Holiday Ramblers traveling the United States and taking the occasional fishing trip to Mexico. When he and Betty Jo were not in their RV, you could find them in the stands watching their grandchildren playing sports across Oklahoma. After retiring from work, Orval felt most relaxed sitting at home reading the paper and watching the Cardinals play baseball. Orval is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jo; son, Don Gilleland and wife Gloria of Tulsa; son, David Gilleland of Tulsa; 5 grandchildren, Jeff Gilleland of Bixby, Greg Gilleland of Broken Arrow, Sarah Stockstill of Bryant, AR, Cody Gilleland of Vail, CO, and Katie Martin of Tulsa; and 7 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday in Ninde Brookside Chapel, 3841 S. Peoria. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Blue Star Mothers of America, Oklahoma Chapter 1, 2198 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74129.  Simply click here:

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