David Earl Sheridan Tiller

David Earl Sheridan Tiller was a Cherokee/Irish son of the fertile soils of the San Gabriel Valley. The Treasure of Sierra Madre. From that rich loam grew a man of many talents: actor, singer, poet, writer, stock car driver, drag racer, lawyer…friend.

Cherokee Dave…

Truly a renaissance man. In a black & white world, David Tiller was Technicolor.

He had the biggest social network in Nashville but he was never online. Yet, he was everybody’s mutual friend. Because before you knew him, he was already friends with everybody who knew you. And he was very glad to finally meet you. David talked face to face, not on Facebook!

He was a storyteller but it always seemed like he wanted to hear your story more than tell his. He was the Networker in Chief. Optimistic at all costs, he was the loudest, quietest, saddest and funniest, gentlest ruffian in the room. And he was always your biggest fan!

David Tiller was born on May 15, 1945 in Sierra Madre, CA to Dixie Earl and Dorothy Sheridan Tiller who, along with his sister, Mary Tiller, nee Maloney, preceded him in death.

Dave completed his undergraduate studies in History and Political Science at the University of California, Riverside where he was also very active in the theater, a passion that stayed with him for the rest of his life. He could be seen over the last several years performing as a regular member of the acclaimed troupe “Ghosts of Nashville”.

His post-graduate studies took him to the Law School at UCLA where, working under the US Indian Law Program Fellowship, he completed his Juris Doctorate. He remained a licensed California attorney up until the day he was taken from us.

Dave relocated to Nashville where he became a fixture both socially and professionally. Along with acting and cars, music was another of Dave’s passions. You might very well find him singing a rocking version of “Route 66” at the old Sutler or the Flying Saucer. He loved music and he knew it inside out…so he fit right in with all those guitar pickers in Nashville.

For 30 years he mentored Tennessee entrepreneurs through his work at the Small Business Administration. At the end of his tenure, Dave served as the Public Information Officer, the International Trade Officer as well as the Veterans Business Development Officer. He was also the agency liaison to the LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

He was also extremely active in the community outside the office. He was an integral part of Operation Stand Down at the Tennessee Veterans Service Center. While he never served, he had an undying respect for those who gave their time and risked their lives for their country.

David’s work in the community was recognized when in 2013 he was awarded the RH Boyd Minority Business Achievement Award as Advocate of the Year.

For many years, he was adjunct professor of business both at Nashville Tech and at Tennessee State University, and lectured on international trade and technology at MTSU, Belmont University, and Owen Graduate School of Business, Vanderbilt University.

But first and foremost, David Tiller was a husband and father. It was just over 20 years ago when he informed his friends that he was going to ask the lovely Sheila Robertson to be his wife. “Dave! I didn’t even know you two were dating!” they exclaimed, “Oh, we’re not!” Dave reassured them, “Tonight is going to be our first!” Six months later he spirited her away to Van Buren, Arkansas where he proceeded to make her Mrs. Sheila Robertson Tiller on Valentine’s Day with those very same friends as his witnesses.

And it was from this union with Sheila that Dave would always say came his greatest achievement: his beautiful daughter, Edy. He would look at you, puffed up, a misty twinkle in his eyes as he told you about her latest accomplishment. He never hesitated to remind you what a blessing she was; as he gazed across the room at Sheila, his hand firmly placed on your shoulder, “I’m a lucky man!”

Dave is also survived by his other great love daughter, Emily Fredericks, of San Jose, CA from his first marriage. David talked with such pride and reveled in stories of “my Emily.” One of his favorites, always brought him a smile, was when she picked him up from the airport…at age 14.

So now we say good-bye to David Earl Sheridan Tiller. But even though he leaves us on this plane he will always be with us. In Edy’s infectious smile and that beautiful twinkle in her eye. Or in the lives he changed and the small businesses that thrive today because of his light touch and caring hand. Or in his wry smile that peaks from under that cowboy hat in an incredibly well framed one-armed group “selfie” that he shot after grabbing the group and gently but firmly placing them in the perfect configuration.

Yes, David will always be a fixture here in Nashville. It’s just that now he will be a fixture in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in David’s name to Operation Stand Down. (http://osdtn.org/)

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11th, 2017 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service being held from 2 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home 201 25th Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37203.