Kenneth L. Tillery

Kenneth L. Tillery, 76, of Fort Smith, departed this life on January 12th, 2017. He was born January 23, 1940 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lorene Tillery; and his father-in-law, Doyle Murray.

Kenneth L Tillery, “Uncle”, as he was affectionately known to his nieces and nephews was a momma’s boy from day one, being born on his momma’s birthday. He began his exceptional life on January 23, 1940. He received his education from first grade through his senior year at Westville School in Westville, Oklahoma. He worked at his parents, Claude and Lorene Tillery’s auto parts store during high school. That is where his love of tire selling and cars began. His love of cars quickly progressed into drag racing, which he thought was a well-kept secret from his parents, but Uncle found, as we all know, parents know everything when his dad said, “Son if you are going to race that car, you need some good parts” and then preceded to give him parts for his car. His passion led him to Nashville for his first job where he was a manager for nine years at Burggraf Discount Tire Store. While working in Nashville, he sold tires to some of country music’s royalty including Roy Orbison and Marty Robbins. Buford Pusser, the sheriff that inspired the movie Walking Tall, was also a customer. From Nashville his journey led him to Tulsa, Oklahoma and eventually to Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In Ft. Smith he continued to pursue his career of selling tires at J & K Wholesale, which was his passion. He excelled in meeting the needs of his customers which was not always what the customer thought they wanted.

The majority of his life was spent in Fort Smith, Arkansas with the love of his life Jo Murray Tillery. They spent 47 years together, building a life with family and friends.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife Jo; mother-in-law, Nell Murray; two sisters-in-law, Marian Williams and husband Bobby, Margie Snyder and husband Dale; one brother-in-law, Eddy Murray; nine nieces and nephews he loved as his own, Jacke Fairchild and husband Sam, Bart Snyder and wife Lori, Rhonda Luellen and husband Scott, Todd Snyder and wife Shawna, Murray Williams, Richard Murray and wife Stephanie, Amanda Murray, Ashley Murray and Maegan Murray; twenty-one great nieces and nephews; several cousins; Uncle J.B. McElroy; one God daughter, Drew Blythe; and countless friends.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Monday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Monday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be 11:00 AM Tuesday at Bell Cemetery in Delaware County, Oklahoma under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Bart Snyder, Todd Snyder, Murray Williams, Richard Murray, Sam Fairchild and Scott Luellen.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Immanuel Baptist Church, 2201 S Dallas, Ft. Smith, AR 72901.