Jefferson (Jeff) Wade Tiller of Nacogdoches passed away July 1, 2020 at Nacogdoches Medical Center at 92 years of age. He was born on February 22, 1928 in Redwater, Texas the first of five sons born to Ross and Mettie Tiller. At the time of his death, he was an active member of First Christian Church, Nacogdoches. Jeff is survived by his wife Melba Jean (Waters) Tiller of Nacogdoches and her children, his son Mark Russell Tiller and wife Nan Marie of Baytown, his three grandchildren, Ashely Marie (Tiller) Trujillo and her husband Gabriel of Pearland, Spenser Harrison Tiller and his fiance Mary Kate Thormahlen of San Antonio, Stuart Mitchell Tiller currently stationed in Germany with the US Army, his two surviving twin brothers, Glynn and Lynn Tiller and their wives, Stephana and Villa Jean, respectively both of Sattler. He was predeceased by his parents, Ross and Mettie (Flemming) Tiller of Texarkana, his first wife of thirty-nine years Billye Frances (Smith) Tiller and his younger twin brothers Marvin and Irvin Tiller of Georgia at their time of death. Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors of Nacogdoches. Charlie Colgan-Senior Pastor of First Christian Church Nacogdoches will lead the services and his brother, Lynn Tiller will deliver a eulogy. Honorary Pallbearers are Spenser Tiller, Stuart Tiller, Gabriel Trujillo, Randy Garrett, Ricky Smith and Lee Smith Services will be private due to Covid-19 restrictions and the desire to protect those who are in high risk categories who are attending or might normally attend. An opportunity for friends and extended family to pay their respects will be Friday, July 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at which time viewing will be open to the public (masks required) at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home. This will be a time for individuals to view the open casket, sign the register and see a presentation of selected pictures. There will not be a family visitation. Jeff’s earthly body will be buried next to Billye’s gravesite in Thomas Cemetery in San Augustine County under a large sprawling oak tree in a Smith Family plot (many of you know the beauty of the location and know it to be the resting place of many of his beloved adopted Smith family). In lieu of flowers, suggested recipients of donations are: San Augustine Public Library Memorial Fund 413 E. Columbia St. San Augustine, Texas 75972 First Christian Church Benevolence Fund 702 N Mound St. Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Christian Women’s Job Corp of Nacogdoches 902 SE Stallings DR. #4 Nacogdoches, Texas 75964 A loving and devoted: son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Jeff Tiller was appropriately described by a family friend as a man with “a friendly smile, displayed quiet confidence, always kind and gentle, not a lot of words but quick to find the humor in life.” He was a man of integrity and dependability who displayed a quite determination as he diligently faced the challenges of the day. As a member of that “Greatest Generation”, after graduating from Texarkana High School, he served his country by joining the United States Army and served in the Occupation of Japan post WWII. After being Honorably discharged he and his best friend, Howard Thompson moved to Houston where Jeff worked for Shell Oil Company in labor gangs and then for the Telephone Company as a lineman while attending school at The University of Houston earning a BBA in accounting. It was during this period he met and married Billye Frances (Smith) on July 15, 1950. After graduating, he worked for Humble Oil Company in the accounting department for twenty years. While employed by Humble Oil, he passed the CPA exam and became a licensed Texas CPA (an active status he held for over sixty years). Upon leaving Exxon’s employment he and his wife formed the public accounting firm of Tiller and Company P.C., CPA’s and he remained active in that practice until age eighty. In addition to his success in his chosen profession, he was an avid reader and historian with a deep studied knowledge of the US Civil War and World War II. He accumulated an extensive library and always would be reading several books at any given time. After Billye died in 1989 he married Melba Jean (Waters) on January 1, 1990. They enjoyed a thirty-year marriage until his death. After his marriage to Melba, they began traveling, participating in the Elderhostel program and Jeff accomplished his goal of attending a program in all fifty states (except North Dakota which had no offerings). In addition, his travels included all the Canadian maritime provinces plus England, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, and a Cruise from California through the Panama Canal. Jeff was privileged to have shared a lasting friendship with four very special men during his lifetime. These four men, James Calfee who died in 2013 at age 80, Robert Thacker who died in 2019 at age 92, Ernest Easley who died in 2007 at age 80 and Louis Runnels who died in 2016 at age 96, were greatly missed by Jeff after their homegoing. These men possessed integrity and great character and Jeff enjoyed their company and companionship. We have faith that they now have been reunited just East beyond Heavens Twelve Gates (“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12).
In Memoriam