Benjamin Robert Gilliatt, 71, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at home.  Born in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Cecil Lee Gilliatt, Sr. and Rosalynd Nix Gilliatt.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Hattie Nix Gilliatt.  Ben graduated Shelby High School in 1960 where he played trumpet in the band.  He attended Duke University and received his undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University – where he first experienced skydiving.  He obtained his law degree from Tulane Law School – his New Orleans experience – and his MBA from Columbia University. Ben began his working career in international finance in New York, Chicago – where he enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan – and Geneva, Switzerland.  Ben loved the experiences and pleasures of travel he had during his career.  He returned to Shelby in 1992 and served as an attorney in private practice.  He was a member of the Cleveland County Bar.  He enjoyed golf, skiing and refereeing baseball while in Geneva.

Ben is survived by his brother, Dr. Lee Gilliatt and wife Helen of Shelby; nephew, Nathan Gilliatt and wife Adrienne and their son Alex of Apex, NC; niece, Sandra Cook and husband Chris and their sons Casey and Trevor of Mechanicsville, VA.  Ben leaves many grateful clients as well as his special friends David and Ella Beach and Ray Daigle.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 2, 2014 in the Webb Chapel of First Baptist Church.  The Rev. Tony Tench will be officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.  At other times the family will be at the home of Dr. Lee and Helen Gilliatt.

Memorials may be made to Young Life Cleveland County, P O Box 1757, Shelby, NC 28151.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Gilliatt.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com