George Joseph Tilley, 70, of Blacksburg, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was born in Vivian, W.Va. on October 14, 1936 to the late Sidney Allen and June Taylor Tilley. A devoted family man and generous friend to all. He was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Arleta Matherly Tilley. George was a member of the Wesleyan Community Church and served faithfully in many capacities in the Wesleyan Church throughout the years. He touched many lives as he worked with his sons in the hardwood flooring business. He served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis. George worked at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant with over 35 years of service in the security department. He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael A. and Lisa J. Tilley, Roanoke, Daniel J. and Candace M. Tilley, Huntersville, N.C., Dr. Gregory K. and Jennie P. Tilley, Blacksburg; he was lovingly known as Papa George to his eight grandchildren, Alexa, Amanda, Amelia, Claire, Cooper, Kirk, Ella, and Griffin; his sisters, Marilynne Tilley and Nancy Tilley, both of Lake Worth, Fla.; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Randolph and Elizabeth Tilley, Princeton, W.Va., Sidney and Ruth Tilley, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Conley and Jeannie Tilley, Russellville, Tenn.; his mother-in-law, Hattie P. Matherly, Blacksburg; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon M. and Michael Knight, Blacksburg. The family would like to give special thanks to their wonderful friends, The Millers, Chuck, Ann, Nancy, and Neala for their sacrifice, care, and loving support throughout his illness. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg First Wesleyan Church on Giles Road with the Rev. Ron Hodge, the Rev. John Lemasters, and the Rev. John Hopkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wesleyan Community Church, 1521 South Main Street, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.
Published in the Roanoke Times from 1/19/2007 - 1/20/2007.