Phil A. Tillman

Phil A. Tillman, 97, was born on February 28, 1918 in Mt. Vernon, Texas and passed away on February 18, 2016 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was born to Lee and Mary Jackson Tillman. His parents owned and operated a cotton gin in Mt. Vernon. He married Hazel Parrott October 5, 1939, and she precedes him in death. They had one daughter, Sandra Lynn Tillman Lowery, and one son Joe Bob Tillman. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hazel, his daughter Sandra Lynn Tillman Lowery, brother Jack Tillman, sister Lauralu Tillman Carter, Dan Tillman, Joe Lee Tillman, and Martha Tillman.

Phil served in WWII in the Philippine’s from 1945-1946. He served in the Field Artillery and later in the Signal Corps. He learned many of his sayings from this time period of his life. When he came home he began to pipeline and traveled all over the United States. In the late 1960’s he began to travel overseas to pipeline. He has been to numerous countries including Libya, Venezuela, Panama, Peru, Indonesia, Scotland, Iran, Iraq, and Thailand. He also served 50 plus years with the Mason's spending many hours volunteering his time and efforts.

He is survived by his son Joe Tillman, son-in-law Neil Lowery and his wife Elaine, grandsons Mike Lowery and wife Pam, David Lowery and wife Sonia, and Brad Lowery all of Douglass. Great-grandchildren Clint Lowery, Matthew Lowery, J.T. Lowery, Garrett Lowery, Sarah Lowery, all of Douglass.

Phil has always had a mind “like a steel trap”, he could tell you all about his pipeline days and all the places he had been, and people he had met. If you have sat with him long he has shared a pipeline story and a joke or two with you. His parting words the last few years have been “And as ‘ol Red Skelton used to say, “God Bless”.

A graveside service will be conducted on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Eden Cemetery Pavilion in Douglass, Texas. Rev. Doc Lazarine will be officiating. Family and friends are invited to visitation at the Pavilion from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm prior to the service. The United States Army and Mason Lodge

Number 2 will render honors.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors. Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com