William "Bill" Tilly

William J. Tilly, 89, of Hermann, Missouri passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at Hermann Area Hospital.

Mr. Tilly was born January 31, 1929 in Stolpe, Missouri, the son of William F. Tilly Sr. and wife Edna nee Bock.  He was united in marriage to Shirley A. Michel on April 21, 1956 at St. Johns UCC in Stolpe.

Mr. Tilly was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Virgina Brethorst and a grandson, Brian Tilly.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons Kenneth Tilly, Hermann; Gary Tilly and wife Carrie, Peoria, IL; grandchildren, Corinne Tilly, Sarasota, FL; Jay Tilly, Columbia, MO; Eric Tilly, Peoria; and other relatives and friends.

Mr. Tilly was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Hermann.  He was veteran of the Korean War stationed in Fort Hood, TX.

Bill grew up on a farm in rural Stople where he learned self-reliance.  He maintained a life-long desire to learn and contribute, especially with designing and developing commercial industrial products.  His work-ethic and know-how allowed him to advance to General Manager of past Hermann businesses: Hemco and Bevco, as well as Midwest Metal Fabricators, in New Haven, MO.  Upon initial retirement, he stayed engaged as a Consultant to an industrial manufacturer in Atlanta, GA. 

Dad liked to stay busy with engineering & construction projects on his property.  Over the years he designed and installed an in-ground swimming pool in consideration of his sons’ enjoyment, completely redesigned our home and added an attached garage in consideration of his loving wife, and built a machine shop for his enjoyment.  Every year Dad would take us on somewhere new for family vacations, so we would have opportunities to experience new surroundings and create family memories.  Dad had a life-long passion for cooking, usually traditional good German food.  Our husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend will be missed. 

Visitation will be held Friday, March 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann,  where funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Rodger Kiepe officiating.

Interment will be at Oak Haven Memorial Gardens, Hermann.  Memorials to St. Paul United Church of Christ or St. John's Cemetery, Stolpe are preferred, c/o Toedtmann-Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann.