James Edward Tillery, 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 15th, 2017.
He was born August 29, 1929 to the late Edward Tillery and Elaine Bulluck Tillery in Scotland Neck, NC, where he spent his childhood. After graduation from Scotland Neck High School and Wake Forest College (now University), he served three years in the Army Security Agency, at the time of the Korean War, with duties involving radio direction finding, morse code intercept and cryptology. Upon discharge from the ASA, he entered a career in driver education and highway safety, retiring as Assistant Director of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
Jim was a man of great humor, compassion and integrity. He loved reading, puzzles in the newspaper, playing cards and music, but most of all he loved his family. He was proud of his Service and work, yet it did not compare to the pride he had in his children, grandchildren, and his newest joy, his great-grandchildren. Jim never met a stranger and never neglected to make introductions, for we must all know one another. He especially enjoyed his new friendships at Stoneridge Retirement Living. Jim leaves behind the gift of caring and paying it forward.
Jim was predeceased in death by his wife of 44 years, Janice G. Tillery; sisters Cornelia Tillery and Janis Worrell and her husband Myrle Worrell (Tubby).
He is survived by his three daughters, Catherine Tillery and her partner Kathy Elias, Elizabeth Byrd and her partner Art Howard, and Lee Tillery, all of Raleigh; two grandchildren, Ashley Byrd Brooks and her husband Troy of Garner, and Matthew Byrd of San Francisco, Ca; twin great grandchildren, Carson and Jade Brooks.
The family will receive friends at the home of Elizabeth, 1326 Pineview Drive in Raleigh on Thursday from 6 – 8. In Jim’s honor, the family will be dressed in their best Island/Hawaiian shirts, please feel free to wear the same.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Friday at the Baptist Cemetery in Scotland Neck, at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made directly to Transitions Life Care/Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or online by clicking here, or directly to WCPE radio, P.O. Box 897, Wake Forest, NC 27588 or online by clicking here.
“Stay as good as you are.”
Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck is handling arrangements for the Tillery family.