Lord Willis Tilley

Lord Willis Tilley, 89, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada. He was born on March 23, 1922, in Ellsinore, Mo., to Rufus Tilley and Grace Myrtle Sears Tilley. He married Hazel Leer and she preceded him in death in August 1986. He later married Fern A. McAfee on Oct. 26, 1986, in Nevada, and she survives of the home.

Willis served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945 during World War II in Germany. He was a Purple Heart recipient. Willis lived and worked in St. Louis for many years at Central States Trucking and was a member of the Teamsters Union there. He and Fern moved to Nevada 14 years ago from Van Buren, Mo. Willis enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Fern, of the home, survivors include two children, James Tilley, Cameron, Mo., and Jean Derringer, Nevada; five grandchildren, Sandy, Kaitlyn, Michael, Melissa and Robert; four great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Rylan, Vince and Wessley; three sisters, Gladys Powell, state of California, Mary Jewell Tilley, Cottage Crove, Ore., and Betty Zinn, Lemay, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; one sister; and one son, Kenneth Tilley.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Fairview Community Church, Nevada, with the Rev. Burt Travis officiating. Interment will follow in Big Niangua Cemetery, Camden County, Mo. Friends may call now and until 9 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home and the family receives friends from 7-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com