Rock Musician. He spent his youth playing instruments all over the city of Houston in various local bands, playing piano, tenor saxophone, the acoustic, electric and electric bass guitars. In 1965, at the age of 18, he received the award as the "Texas Most Outstanding Musician" in the Texas Public School Board system. After high school, he continued developing his musical skills at the University of North Texas, and after graduation, he began touring the United States with The Coasters, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison and Bo Diddley, and was the musical director for Gladys Knight. His big break came when he was added to the group "Blood, Sweat & Tears" to play the saxophone. He was with the group for over eight years and appeared on nine of their albums. After leaving BS&T, Bill returned to Texas and was a featured soloist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. He was the featured soloist on the first Dallas Jazz Orchestra album. He formed the Bill Tillman band and performed at many events, including the Wall Street Journal's 100th Birthday gala and for Bill Clinton while he was in the White House. He also became a businessman, owning Bill Tillman's Seafood House & Sax Club, and managing The King's Club in the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. He was awaiting a kidney transplant in Houston when he slipped and fell in his bathroom, striking his head and causing his death.
Rock Musician. He spent his youth playing instruments all over the city of Houston in various local bands, playing piano, tenor saxophone, the acoustic, electric and electric bass guitars. In 1965, at the age of 18, he received the award as the "Texas Most Outstanding Musician" in the Texas Public School Board system. After high school, he continued developing his musical skills at the University of North Texas, and after graduation, he began touring the United States with The Coasters, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison and Bo Diddley, and was the musical director for Gladys Knight. His big break came when he was added to the group "Blood, Sweat & Tears" to play the saxophone. He was with the group for over eight years and appeared on nine of their albums. After leaving BS&T, Bill returned to Texas and was a featured soloist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. He was the featured soloist on the first Dallas Jazz Orchestra album. He formed the Bill Tillman band and performed at many events, including the Wall Street Journal's 100th Birthday gala and for Bill Clinton while he was in the White House. He also became a businessman, owning Bill Tillman's Seafood House & Sax Club, and managing The King's Club in the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. He was awaiting a kidney transplant in Houston when he slipped and fell in his bathroom, striking his head and causing his death.
Bio by: Rick Kauffman
Inscription
LOVING FATHER, SON & BROTHER
"LARGER THAN LIFE"
WILL BE MISSED
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