Allen Travis Gilliland

December 09, 2025

Sr., 86, of Blountsville,

passed away Sept. 7, 2025,

surrounded by his family.

He was born April 26,

1939, in Louisville, Ky.,

to Ida Magdalena Nord.

After graduating in 1958

from Mobile County High

School in Grand Bay, Ala.,

he served two years in the

United States Army. He

married Belva Jean Stover

on March 17, 1962, and

they were married until her death in 2023.

After a job with International Paper Company,

he became owner of the full-service Shell Station

at Tillman's Corner near Mobile. Due to his man-

agerial and administrative skills, he was awarded

Service Station of the Year in 1968 from the Ala-

bama Petroleum Company.

In 1972, he and Jean took a leap of faith and

moved their family to north Alabama after pur-

chasing Burgess Lake, a sandy-bottomed, spring-

fed swimming pool in Blountsville. He had a vision

to improve this facility, and in addition to convert-

ing it to a chlorine pool, he built its first water slide

in 1980.

Under his leadership and hard work, Spring

Valley Beach was transformed from its humble

beginnings to one of the best water parks in the

Southeastern U.S. In recent years he formed a part-

nership with family to manage day-to-day opera-

tions. Although he enjoyed a retirement of sorts,

you could still find him cleaning barbecue grills

to make sure they were ready for the next park

visitors. This willingness to do even the smallest of

tasks was a hallmark of his work ethic.

In addition to the water park, he owned and

operated Gilliland Manufacturing Company for

many years and sold wood products to stores na-

tionwide.

Affectionately called "Big Al" by family and

friends, he was known for his giving and friend-

ly nature. He was a loving husband, father, and

papa. He was an ardent supporter of the Town of

Blountsville, its schools, and community organi-

zations, and could always be counted on during

fundraisers. He also served on many boards at

local banks and utilities in the town.

A highlight of his life was serving on a mission

trip to Kenya with a longtime friend. He loved

traveling and antiquing with his beloved wife Jean,

and they saw much of the country together. He

looked forward in particular to their annual fall

trips to Pigeon Forge. Family held a special place in

his heart and he was happiest when spending time

with them.

He relished attending sporting events, whether

it be high school or college. His trips to the Ken-

tucky Derby were some of his favorite outings.

Due to his Kentucky birth, he held a soft spot in

his heart for the University of Kentucky basketball

program.

He is survived by daughters Kim (Steve) Nix

and Ashley (Mark) Adams; son Travis (Kendra)

Gilliland; grandchildren Rachel (Ethan) Johnson,

Joshua Parker, Jacob (Katharine) Adams, Trace

Gilliland, and Lilli Gilliland; and a great-grand-

daughter Charlotte Jean Johnson. He was preceded

in death by his wife Jean Gilliland; mother Ida Gil-

liland Helms; stepfathers F.H. Gilliland and Truett

Helms; and brother Joseph Gilliland.

Visitation was 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025,

at Blountsville Baptist Church. Funeral Service

was at 4 p.m. at Blountsville Baptist Church with

Randall Edmondson officiating. The burial was

in Blountsville Cemetery following the service,

Blountsville Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers were Joshua Parker, Jacob Adams,

Trace Gilliland, Ethan Johnson, Joe Gossett, and

Dave McAlpine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

the J.B. Pennington High School Alumni Associa-

tion or Blountsville Baptist Church.