Jeff Leon Gilley, age 56, of Merriam Woods.

Jeff Leon Gilley, age 56, of Merriam Woods, Missouri, died September 7, 2024, at his home due to heart failure. He was born April 8, 1968, in Tulare California, the son of Leon and Betty (Runyon) Gilley and was married March 3, 2020, to Bernadette Marquez.

Growing up in California, he worked for Fender Guitar and sign shop businesses for several years before moving to Missouri in 2019. He worked for Royal Oak Charcoal and Dutton Family Complex in Branson, saving to solely buy his first house with Bernadette in Merriam Woods in August. Always known for his kindhearted, sweet nature, he showed many how to walk in the Lord’s love. He learned how to trust in the Lord and His salvation when he sat daily praying by his wife’s side while she was on a ventilator for over a month with Covid.

Jeff is preceded in death by his brother, Karl Leon Gilley.

He is survived by his wife of four years, Bernadette of Merriam Woods, Missouri; four sons: Derrek Bratcher of East Vail, California, Joseph Gilley of Florida, Isaiah Gilley of East Vail, California, and Jerub Gilley of East Vail, California; both parents, Leon and Betty Gilley of Ivanhoe, California; brother, James Gilley of Visalia, California; two half-sisters: Teresa Cannon of Montana and Lisa Roberts of Washington; and four step-children: Celeste Wiggins, Jammee Wiggins, Jahnae Wiggins, and Kenneth Witzel III, all of Branson, Missouri.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later time in California. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.