Longtime resident, World War II veteran
Bill Tilley (Courtesy photo)
William (Bill) Tilley, 89, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at his home on Woodside Road.
Bill was born in Old Perlican, Newfoundland, Canada, Oct. 22, 1923, a son of the late George L. and Minnie E. (Button) Tilley, and resided in Harvard for more than 50 years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anita E. (Carlson) Tilley; three sons, William L. and his wife Sandra of Leesburg, Va., Douglas J. and his wife Patty of Merrimac, Mass., Bruce A. Tilley of Harvard; one daughter, Rhonda J. and her husband Steven Miller of Beaver Creek, Ohio; one brother, Ronald G. Tilley of Tenn.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Bill is predeceased by his first wife, June E. (Martin) Tilley, a daughter, Sharon J. Tilley, and a brother, Chet L. Tilley.
For more than 30 years, Bill was employed at the former GenRad Corporation, where he was a manager. During WW II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Harvard. Bill was an umpire in many amateur baseball leagues and, for decades, ran the greased pole contest at the Harvard 4th of July Celebration.
Bill took great joy entertaining and having lobster clambakes with family and friends, and he hosted two weddings in his backyard. He also enjoyed boating in his Boston Whaler on Bare Hill Pond. Bill and his wife Anita vacationed for 25 years in Anguilla.
A service was held Friday, Jan. 18, at the Congregational Church of Harvard.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Drive, Suite 104, Dumfries, Va., 22025.
