Gay Gilliam Walters
December 20, 1929 - July 5, 2025
Lucretia “Gay” Gilliam Walters, born December 20, 1929 passed away July 5, 2025.
Born in Spiro, Oklahoma to James and Burnie Gilliam, Gay was the first of two children. She is predeceased by her sister, Ida Sue Gilliam Dean. Gay lived in Oklahoma and Arkansas graduating from Northeastern State College until moving to Stockton, California in 1952. During her years in Arkansas she spoke fondly of being the Rogers High School Band Leader.
Next Gay followed her adventurous Native American spirit and pursued an ad in the newspaper seeking public school teachers in Stockton, CA. This ended up being the passion of her life spending 60 years in education. She especially enjoyed her time at Edison High School with her Special Education classes, training and supervising upcoming educators, and earned a Masters Degree in Education from the University of the Pacific.
Gay was the loving mother of two children, James William Walters and Linda Ann Walters DeBonis. She loved laughing and playing and acting silly with her three grandchildren: Camden William DeBonis, Taylor Ann DeBonis and Megan Elizabeth Walters. She is also survived by her loving nieces, Julie Dean Bond and Jennifer Dean, steadfast cousins, Bonnie Falconer Anglin, Gay Lynn Dickerson, Pam, Dickerson, Sarah Redwine, and son in law, Steven DeBonis.
Gay’s most treasured childhood memories were of going on “house calls” with her granddaddy, Doctor Willard C. Gilliam, the beloved Spiro town doctor. She also spoke fondly of living on the family “hill” with horses and cattle and having all her extended aunts, uncles and cousins nearby for daily visits.
Gay was the ultimate people person and loved nothing more than sitting outside and chatting the day away listening to people’s stories. She was the most loyal and generous friend, fun- loving, and young at heart always enjoying the company of young people. She loved her dogs, coffee, being part of the Choctaw Indian Tribe, nature, water, music, the color cobalt blue, and sticking up for the underdog. Gay was known for an untamed adventurous spirit loving fast cars, boats, horses and even flew solo in her small aircraft. She spent many miles on Route 66 between Oklahoma and California.
Gay, you will stay loved and remembered every day. Your legacy lives on in the love, authenticity and values you instilled in all you touched. You were a true giver and lived gratefully without regrets.
The family will hold a private service and ask kindly in lieu of flowers, for all who are called to do so, donations may be made to any local public school or teacher.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Walters family.