Adrian Edwin Tillman Sr., better known as Peter John, was born on September 15, 1937, in Mobile, Alabama. He passed away on August 7, 2023, surrounded by his beloved daughter and granddaughters, and he would not have had it any other way. Peter John lived most of his life in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. He served in the United States Navy from 1957-1961. Peter John spent some time working on a shrimp boat named the “Connie Marie”. Peter John’s most loved occupation was being a route salesman for Barq’s Bottling Company, where he received Salesman of the Month. He was very proud of that achievement. Peter John also enjoyed recreational crab trapping to fill the crab pot for himself and those he loved dearest. There was never a dessert that was not approved by Peter John, particularly a good strawberry milkshake.
Peter John is preceded in death by: his parents, Audrey Etta Tillman (beloved mother) and Buren Tillman (father); brothers, Junior, Clifford, Devan, and Dewitt; sisters, Maxine, Anna Jean, Annie Mae, and Darlene; two infant children; daughter, Audrey Ruth Tillman; and great grandchild, Colstin Ray Greer. He is survived by: brother, George Tillman; sister, Marie Miller; his children, Joyful (Frankie) Dunn, and Edwin Tillman; grandchildren, Ladana Shaw, Teresa Saunders, Rae (Nathan) Greer, Allison Tillman (Dalton), Ashlynn Tillman (Andy), Ashleigh (Jonathan) Thomley, Tyler (Kamryn) Dunn, and Johnny Tillman; great grandchildren, friends, and other family.
Pallbearers will be: Frankie Dunn, Tyler Dunn, Nathan Greer, Jonathan Thomley, Andrew Barnett, and Dalton Howard. Although Peter John did not want to be carried by men, his daughter and granddaughters chose the men they loved best for this great honor. To slightly concede to his humorous request, honorary pallbearers are Charlotte, Anne, Ashleigh, Rae, Ashlynn, and Allison.
Funeral services will be held at Lighthouse of Hope Holiness Church located at 11501 Argyle Rd. Irvington, Alabama, 36544. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023, 5-8 pm. Funeral will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, beginning at 10 am. Graveside service will follow at Oddfellows Cemetery, Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
