Daniel Thomas Gillis, 30, departed this world on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at UNC Hospitals. Daniel lived in Chapel Hill and formerly lived in Sanford. He was born in Lee County, beloved son of Richard Thomas and Debra Whitfield Gillis of Sanford. Daniel was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth Charles Whitfield Sr., Lacy Dixon Gillis Sr., and Eunice Thomas Gillis. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandmother, Mae Belle Fincher Whitfield of Broadway, NC. Daniel is survived by his loving sister, Amanda Gillis Anderson and husband Todd William Anderson of Sanford. He was a devoted uncle to Ryleigh Makena Anderson and Peyton Thomas Anderson. Daniel is also survived by his beloved fiancée, Heather Leigh Lewis and their daughter Meriwether. Daniel graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor degree in Math and a minor in Computer Science. He worked for a year with R.E.N.C.I. at the college and had gone back to UNC to pursue his PhD in Biological and Biomedical Science studying Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. The family will be at their home on Avents Ferry Road in Sanford, NC. There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Wednesday, January 14th, 2015 at 4:00 pm the Broadway United Methodist Church, 106 Church St. Broadway, NC where he was a member. The family will remain at the church after the service in the Fellowship Hall to receive family and Friends. In lieu of Flowers, the family request that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-3678. (901) 595-3300 or at www.sstjude.org On line condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway.