Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) Alice Echo-News Journal (on) October 27, 2014

William J. Tiller, Sr.

William J. Tiller, Sr. passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Jimmie Tiller was born in Robstown Texas on May 8, 1926. He attended public school in Petronila and graduated from Robstown High School.

He attended Texas A & M College until he went into the Army serving at Okinawa. He was with the first army of occupation in Japan where he served as a Sergeant in the Military Police. After WWII he returned to A & M where he received his B. S. degree from Texas A & M, Class of 1947.

He was always a farmer and rancher. He was a loved and respected educator and a Biology teacher in Robstown and Bishop for many years. He completed his educator role as Principal of William Adams Junior High School in Alice, Texas. When he retired from the field of education he bought a helicopter, and learned to fly. He started Tiller Helicopter Service and gathered cattle across Texas. He was proud to have three of his sons fly alongside him. At the end of his helicopter career he documented his many experiences with stories and pictures in his published book, The Adventures of a Helicopter Cowboy. His final career was in the Real Estate Appraisal business.

He was very active in the Methodist Church serving at the Local, District, and Conference levels. He was honored to be a Delegate to the General Conference.

He was preceded in death by his parents W. C. and Deana Tiller, sister Kathryn Lawson, and his son Richard Tiller.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Martha Richardson Tiller, his brother David (Martha) Tiller, and sons Jim (Linda) Tiller, Lee (Lynette) Tiller, and Travis (Judy) Tiller. Surviving grandchildren are Beth Tiller, J. C. (Kristie) Tiller, Will (Stacie) Tiller, Christopher Tiller, Tyne Tiller, Julia (Justin) Blair, and Brian Tiller. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law Dorothy Richardson and Jackie Richardson. His survivors also include numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, his Aggie Family, and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 27, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Holmgreen Mortuary Chapel, Alice, Texas. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Alice, Texas with burial to follow at Alice Cemetery.

Pallbearers are J.C. Tiller, Will Tiller, Christopher Tiller, Tyne Tiller, Brian Tiller and Justin Blair.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund of Alice, Texas. Arrangements entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, Alice, Texas