Benjamin Luke Gilley

Benjamin Luke Gilley, lovingly known by everyone as Luke, left this world on Tuesday March 3, 2026 which was far too soon, leaving behind a life partner, a family and a community who loved him deeply. Luke was the youngest of three siblings and brought joy, laughter, and light to everyone who knew him. He truly was a barrel of laughs, known for his wonderful sense of humor and the happiness he shared with family and friends. He shared a common theme with his papa Harold which was playing practical jokes on people.

While he left this world far too early, the love and laughter he shared will always remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

Luke enjoyed card games, art, drawing, shapes especially octagons and 3D shapes of all kinds, trains, dinosaurs, and had a special fascination with the Titanic movie. Luke loved spending time outdoors and enjoying activities with those he loved. Hiking, camping, fishing, traveling, and family vacations were some of his favorite ways to spend time with family and friends. One of the things he loved most was camping with his brother, Joshie, making memories together in the outdoors. Those moments meant the world to Joshie. Luke and Joshie also had many fun life experiences together such as learning to drive. Even though there was an age gap, they both decided to learn together and that was an experience for both of them as well as mom and dad.

Luke had a few favorite foods that always made him smile, including pancakes, chicken mac, and Dude's red wienie hot dogs and drinking milk like the cows would never produce anymore milk for us.

He loved his fur babies dearly—Jake, Panda, Opal, Caroline (“Dink-Dink”), and especially Betty. They were a big part of his life and brought him comfort and happiness. His fur babies were like kids to him and he treated them like that. They wanted for nothing and even though there were so many, they were never left home on trips, if he left for a little while or for a longer travels, they were with him. He also loved his fur babies from home, Amy which left this world last year and the rambunctious Codi Boy that was always looking for him. He always made him Grrrr every time he came over. He especially loved getting Codi Boy wound up then taking off.

Luke was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend, and was loved by everyone he met. He is preceded in death by his PaPa Harold Estes and is survived by his parents, Jerry and Jennifer Gilley; his brother, Josh “Joshie” Gilley; his sister, Ashley Smith, and his partner in life Alex Mills; his grandparents, Jerry and Delores Gilley, and Ethel Estes; along with numerous extended family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Luke was also very proud of the home he and Alex had begun building together. True to his nature, he did not need all the fancy things in life and enjoyed a more simple way of living. He and Alex had been working for a long time and he was so proud of it. He was especially proud and happy when mom, dad and Joshie came up for the very first time to see it. He was also proud to be able to host Joshie a time or two with them overnight and even built a camping pad for Joshie to use in the future when he visited them.

Son, we know you had a lot of struggles and had many hard turns in the road of life beginning at an early age until now. We know you are now in a much better place where you no longer will have to suffer, be in any pain or be judged in any way by anyone. We pray you knew how many people loved you. Your family loves you and misses you every day. This is not goodbye—just see you later when our time comes. Tell Papa we said hello, and you and him be good up there until we are together again. PS, we know you have already pulled some of your jokes on us just in these last couple days.

Love Mom and Dad

A viewing will be held Sunday, March 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

For his love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local SPCA or Humane Society in Luke's name.