Born in Waynesville, NC on August 31, 1960, Randy Gilliland took his life on June 10, 2025. Service to be held Monday, June 16th, 2025 at 2 PM First Presbyterian Church in Hampton.

He is survived by his beloved son, Palmer Gilliland, and aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends who will forever hold him close within their hearts.

Randy is preceded in death by his grandparents, Elizabeth Adeline Underwood Palmer and James Elmer Palmer, his parents, Patsy (Pat) Palmer Gilliland and Michael (Mickey) Adkins Gilliland, and his aunt, Vivian Gilliland Queen.

Randy graduated from Bethel High School in Hampton, VA, went on to study Animal Science at Virginia Tech, and obtained his Executive MBA from William & Mary. He was elected to the Hampton City Council in 2002 and served through 2010, while also holding the position of vice mayor from 2006 to 2008. Before serving on the City Council, Randy served on the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Planning Commission.

Throughout his professional life, Randy launched a variety of successful businesses, many of which are still in operation today. He traveled extensively in Eastern Europe for business and pleasure, most notably during the Velvet Revolution after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He helped run campaigns in the first democratic elections in Poland, Hungary, and what was then called Czechoslovakia.

Most recently, Randy was the Director of Philanthropy at Equal Justice America, an organization that funds law students to provide legal aid for low-income and vulnerable communities across the nation.

Randy was a lifelong public servant who believed in championing equal rights for all. Through his vision and hard work, Randy was able to improve the lives of many in our local community, as well as across the nation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in his honor to your local food bank and Equal Justice America.