Dr. Tiller

Dr. Wendell Howard Tiller, 93, retired orthopaedic surgeon, died at home after a brief illness. 
 Born October 17, 1920, Dr. Tiller is survived by his wife, Martha Ivey, of 65 years. They were married May 28, 1949. He was the son of Wendell Holmes Tiller and Ruth Howard Lanham. A native of Spartanburg, Dr. Tiller attended Southside School and graduated from Spartanburg High School (the Evans Building). Dr. Tiller entered Wake Forest College, Wake Forest, NC, in 1938. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940, and graduated from Wake Forest with a B.S. in 1942. He entered Bowman Gray School of Medicine and graduated in 1944. Dr. Tiller completed an internship at North Carolina Baptist Hospital whereupon he entered service in the U.S. Navy. After being released from the Navy in 1946, he began practice in Hendersonville, NC, as a General Practitioner. Later he moved to Woodruff, SC for a brief period. In 1948, he returned to Bowman Gray School of Medicine to begin an Orthopaedic Residency. 
 In 1950, Wendell and Martha moved to Brookline, MA to continue his Orthopaedic Residency at Boston Children's Hospital. They returned to Spartanburg to begin his orthopaedic practice in the Schuyler Office and Apartment Building. The family moved to Quantico, VA for two years where Wendell served during the Korean Conflict. He was in charge of a 200-bed ward of soldiers recuperating from injuries in Korea. Dr. Tiller and family returned to Spartanburg where he resumed his practice (Spartanburg Orthopaedic Clinic) in the Schuyler Building. In partnership with several other physicians in Spartanburg, he opened a new office in the Professional Office Building on North Church Street. In 1968, he reorganized his practice in the name of Spartanburg Orthopaedic Associates, PA, which was the first medical practice to become a Professional Association in South Carolina. Dr. Tiller was a member of First Presbyterian Church, attended the Purnell Sunday School Class, and served as an Elder. In 1985 he received a plaque recognizing 30 years of service at the Crippled Children's Clinic, which was his special love. He delivered meals for over 20 years at Mobile Meals after he retired (until he was 91). He was a member of Rotary International for 46 years and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He served as President of the Spartanburg County Medical Society and the SC Orthopaedic Association. He was a member of the American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Other survivors include two daughters, one son, and their spouses: Linda Tiller McHam (Gary), Frank Tiller (Mary Lewis), and Martha Tiller Foster (Dan), all of Spartanburg. He was predeceased by a son, W. Howard Tiller, Jr. MD (Nancy) in 2003; and a daughter, Barbara Tiller Barragan (Bruce) in 2006. 
 His grandchildren include: Mollie Barragan, Maggie Barragan, Elizabeth Barragan, Louise Tiller, Walker Tiller, Ivey Foster, Sam Foster, Martin Tiller (Teal) and Harrison Tiller. Great-grandchildren include JoHannah and Collin Morgan, Mollie Barragan's children. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, October 3, 2014, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A memorial service for Dr. Tiller will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 4, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, by The Rev. Dr. Tom Evans, The Rev. Joanne Hull, and The Rev. Richard Thomas. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or a charity of one's choice. The family would like to recognize Bell Lipscomb, Della Jones, and Roxann Watson, and the SRHS Hospice program for their kindness. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Wendell Howard Tiller please visit our Sympathy Store.