C. Ronald Tilley

C. RONALD TILLEY, age 88, died peacefully on February 25, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Janice Elizabeth Tilley, his parents Clarence and Rebecca, and his brother Alan.

Ron is survived by his loving children, Christopher, his wife Andrea and grandson, Christopher II; son, Cory; daughter Beth and husband John (Colman), sister Elaine, and numerous other relatives. Ron was a devoted husband, loving father, and a very kind and generous man admired by all who met him.

Ron was born in in Welch, West Virginia and grew up in Spanishburg and the Bluefield WV area, graduating from Beaver High School in 1953. Ron graduated from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, in 1957. While at Concord, Ron married the love of his life, Janice, on August 24, 1956.

Upon graduation, Ron joined Columbia Gas in Charleston, WV. After about 18 months, he was drafted into the United States Army and was based in Germany where he and Janice explored Europe for the first time. After completing his service in the military, Ron returned to Columbia Gas in the New York City office, to a professional career filled with great success. He worked in numerous capacities, eventually rising to the position of Chairman & CEO of the Columbia Gas Distribution Companies for the final 9 years of his 39 year career with Columbia Gas. As he worked his way up the corporate ladder, Ron and Janice enjoyed living in a number of different states, before finally settling in Columbus, Ohio in 1982.

Ron served on many industry and business boards throughout his career, including Chairman of the Board for the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition and Lead Independent Director for Dominion Homes. Ron also served on the boards for National City Bank-Columbus, American Gas Association, Institute of Gas Technology, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Business Roundtable and others.

Ron gave generously of himself to a variety of charitable and community organizations in the Columbus area. He served on the boards of the United Negro College Fund, Children’s Hospital, Franklin University, Columbus Museum of Art, United Way, Columbus Association of Performing Arts, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Boy Scouts of America, Downtown Columbus, Inc., and others.

Upon his retirement in 1996, Ron and Janice’s love of travel would take them around the world with close friends on cruises to Europe, Turkey, Scandinavia, and Russia, visiting a total of 31 countries. They also traveled all over the United States, and a 50th wedding anniversary trip in 2006 to Italy with the entire family was a highlight of their travels. Ron and Janice enjoyed their winter months with family and friends at their home in Palm Coast, Florida. Ron was an avid golfer and played throughout his retirement years both at Worthington Hills Country Club in Columbus and Hammock Dunes Country Club in Palm Coast. When not playing golf, Ron watched his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes, and would never miss a big boxing match, or a major golf tournament. Ron also enjoyed spending time helping Janice in her ever-growing flower garden.

Services will be held on Friday March 8th at Schoedinger Worthington 6699 N High Street Worthington, OH 43085. Visitation will be at 12:00 noon. The funeral service will be at 1:00 pm followed by entombment at Union Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers, family and friends are asked to donate to Medstar Georgetown Department of Neurology - Movement Disorders Program (https://memory.georgetown.edu/make-a-gift/).

His family is especially appreciative of the care Ron received from Dr. Yasar Torres-Yaghi at the Medstar Georgetown Neurology Department as well as all the caregivers and staff in the Continuing Care unit at Ashby Ponds/Maple Grove in Ashburn, VA.