Gene loved working on his tractors and spent a lot of time around them. He could be seen riding around on one of the tractors while Buckshot the cat rode along with him on the roof or in Gene's lap.
Gene is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Austin; son Randy (Heather) Tilson; daughter Brenda (Kevin) Phelps; daughter Gwen (Henry) Fowler; grandchildren Alana, Tate, Erika, Melonie, Luke, and Alice; and many great-grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by son Stan Tilson; father Homer Lee Tilson and mother Viola Margaret Crowe.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sticklinsfuneralchapel.com for the Tilson family.