Jeffrey "Jeff" Lawes Gwilliam

U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Jeffrey (Jeff) Lawes Gwilliam, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away on January 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. Born on July 2, 1958, in Albany, NY, Jeff grew up in a family of five brothers and spent his youth in Plymouth, MA enjoying sailing, ice skating and playing high school tennis. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Patriots; his love for sports remained a lifelong passion. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Jeff embarked on a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Colonel. His service took him to posts at the Pentagon and abroad in Kuwait, Turkey, Germany, and Haiti, where he worked alongside UN Peacekeeping Forces during a six-month deployment. Following his military retirement, Colonel Gwilliam continued his dedication to public service with a 14-year tenure as a program officer for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He held two graduate degrees, an MBA from Babson College and a degree from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. In retirement, Jeff and his wife settled in Easton, Maryland’s historic district, where they lovingly renovated a 1920s home. He shared a special bond with his beloved Berger Picard dog, Louis, who accompanied him on daily walks that led to cherished friendships with the “Easton Bench Boys.” Jeff also found true joy in his hammock in Governor's Harbour on Eleuthera, Bahamas, where he owned a home for many years, and in traveling to California to visit his daughters, particularly his two recent cross country car trips across the United States from Maryland to Los Angeles. A military man, one could still set a watch by his daily routine. Before retirement, he arose every morning at 4:45 am to exercise before heading to work. After retirement, his daily ritual began at 7am with an early dog walk, then a meeting of the Bench Boys, an hour of exercise followed by lunch, reading, and then late day dog park sessions in Oxford with Louis and his friends there. His afternoon reading sessions were devoted to English history, tales of Vikings, Caribbean pirates and spy novels. Listening to music was another lifelong passion from childhood, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield, Bruce Springsteen and Fleetwood Mac were on frequent play, and in recent years he developed a deep appreciation for folk bluegrass music and was a huge fan of The Dead South. Proud of his Welsh heritage, he enjoyed studying his family genealogy with his father. Jeff was preceded in death by his first wife, Capt. (Retired) Elizabeth Gwilliam. He is survived by his wife Susan Able; his father Lt. Col. U.S. Army (Retired) Will Gwilliam and step-mother Ann Gwilliam of Hayes, VA; daughters Sarah Gwilliam of Santa Monica, CA and Lynsey Sullivan of Los Angeles, CA; brothers Tedd Gwilliam, of Plymouth, MA; Lt. Col. US Army (Retired) Bruce Gwilliam of Amherst, MA; Scott Gwilliam of Evanston, IL; Joshua Gwilliam of Alexandria, VA, step-brother Chris Wilkins, Norfolk, VA; and his beloved grandchildren Lane Thomashow and Ruby Sullivan. Colonel Gwilliam’s memory will be treasured by all who knew him. May his life and legacy bring comfort to those who mourn his passing. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at Christ Church Easton, 111 S. Harrison St. Easton, MD. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Jeff’s memory are encouraged to do so to Talbot Humane Society, P.O. Box 1143, Easton, MD 21601.

Jeffrey "Jeff" Lawes Gwilliam

July 2, 1958 - January 1, 2025