William Tilley

William Reeves Tilley, 84, of Spartanburg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, departed his earthly life surrounded by loved ones on Monday, October 22, 2012, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Bill was born January 5, 1928, in Harford County, MD, and was one of four children born to late Guy A. and Ida Schmitt Tilley. He was a 1944 Graduate of Bel Air High School and attended Oklahoma A&M College and the University of MD with hopes of becoming a doctor. Though he never attained that goal, he was proud to have served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War. Bill spent a lifelong career in the hardware business, which began when he worked for Southern States Co-op in Rising Sun, MD, as a very young man. After military service he was employed by William H. Cole and Sons in Baltimore, MD for 17 years. He and his family moved to Spartanburg, SC in 1971 and he served American Hardware Supply, later known as ServiceStar Corp. as their regional manager for the southeast until his retirement in 1985. In retirement Bill found joy in building and planting. He built two of his own homes, one in Spartanburg and one on Isle of Palms and filled his land with hundreds of trees and a bountiful garden which he shared with many. He was a lifelong learner, a voracious leader, cared deeply about his country, and recently began studying The Great Courses, learning about physics, Aristotle, and the beginnings of Christianity. He is survived by his lifelong love, Catherone Chell Tilley, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. She devotedly cared for him through many surgeries and always brought laughter and joy into his life. Together they had two children, Scott Tilley and his wife Tana of Atlanta, GA, and Karen Tilley Jones and her husband Martin of Blacksburg, VA; He was well loved by his four grandchildren, Christopher Tilley and wife Erin, Lauren Tilley Lowe and husband Eric, Emily Jones Wilkinson and husband Eric, and Mark Jones. They will remember his integrity and his quiet pride of the wonderful young adults they have all become. He is also survived by his brother Guy A. Tilley of Hurlock, MD, and sisters, Evelyn Ward of Berryville, VA, and Ella Sue Burkentine of Abingdon, MD, as well as loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 11:00-11:45 PM Saturday, October 27, 2012, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Narthex. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon, at the church, conducted by the Rev. B. Gene Baker. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Following the committal service, the family will receive friends at the home at 245 Falling Creek Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church-Landscaping, 1430 John B. White Sr. Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29306; or Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. The family would like to thank the many doctors and nursing staff who provided such excellent care and the thoughtfulness and prayers of devoted friends. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William "Bill" Reeves Tilley please visit our Sympathy Store.