Frank Gene "Coach" Gilliland

Frank Gene “Coach” Gilliland age 96 passed away on Friday June 12, 2020 at Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash. He was born on February 2, 1924 in Proctor, NC the son of the late William and Martha (nee Ogle) Gilliland. He was married to Lolita (nee Wentz) Gilliland who preceded him in death in 2005. Mr. Gilliland taught chemistry, physics, and math at Oceana High School for 33 years, along with coaching basketball, football, and track. He and his wife managed the Oceana Park and Pool for over 50 years, which the town renamed Gilliland Park and Pool to honor Coach and Granny. He was a member of Oceana United Methodist Church where he loved to worship, fellowship, and serve the Lord. Coach was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving in WWII. He enjoyed nature, his church, his children, and his grandchildren. His proudest accomplishment was his family with his late wife of 56 years Lolita. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters, and one son-in-law James Sexton. Gene is survived by three loving daughters Susan Sexton of Wharton, WV, Debbie (Joe) Pendley of Cincinnati, OH and Marty (Terry) Morgan of Cincinnati, OH; seven grandchildren Allen (Alisha) Sexton of Williamstown, WV, Eddie (Lesia Workman) Sexton of Rock Hill, SC, Jennifer (Samuel) Sexton-Derr of Blacksburg, SC, Ty (Brooke) Morgan of Cleveland, OH, Tory (Chris Gallagher) Morgan of Cannon Beach, OR, Max (Chloe) Pendley of Cincinnati, OH, and Rose Pendley of Houston, TX; seven great grandchildren Emilie (Jason Elkins) Sexton, Elizabeth Sexton, Lauren Sexton, Abigail Morgan, Isaac Morgan, Isabel Morgan, and William Morgan Bowman; two great-great grandchildren Kevin Cook and Charlie Elkins. Due to the pandemic, a celebration of Coach’s life will be held August 8, 2020 at Oceana United Methodist Church. He will be laid to rest on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in a private family service at Evans-Calfee Memorial Chapel. Private burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Coach’s name to Oceana United Methodist Church PO BOX 102 Cook Parkway Oceana, WV 24870 and Barrett Nazarene Church Food Pantry. THE WEBSTER FUNERAL HOME in Fairfield, OH and Evans-Calfee Funeral Home in Oceana, WV are serving the family. Donations may be made to Barrett Nazarene Church Food Pantry 827 Glen Drive Wharton, WV 25208. Online condolences may be made at www.websterfuneralhomes.com