A private memorial service for Billy Ray Tillison, 84, will be held at a later date.
Mr. Tillison died on December 6, 2020 in Yantis. He was born on February 2, 1936, to Gus and Lula Frances (Stone) Tillison of Mesquite. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959. Afterward, he lived and worked in Mesquite where he met and married Elaine, and they raised a family. Later in life, Billy and Elaine moved to Yantis to enjoy retirement in the community of Sun Eagle Bay, where, for over 20 years, they were blessed to have met, loved, and have been loved by many life-long friends.
There was not anything Mr. Tillison could not do and nobody he would not help. He took pride in working hard and he did it every day of his life.
Mr. Tillison is survived by sons, Michael Ray Tillison/Fincher and wife Amy of Quinlan, Charles Ray Tillison and wife Shelly of Rio Vista, John Jay Tillison and wife Sharon of Dallas, Billy Ray Tillison II and wife Tiffani of Quanah; daughters, Donna May Tillison/Upson and husband William of Mesquite, Deana Kay Tillison of Yantis, Elisa Fay Tillison/Simonsen and husband Randy of Port Angeles, Wash., and Holly Gay Tillison of Emory; step-daughters, Bambi Parker, Lori (David) McGuffin, Tammi Parker, and Terri (Nolan) Ford; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 35 years, Elaine (Marshall) Tillison; brother, William Roy Tillison; sister, Nancy Bell Tillison; daughter, Debra Kay Tillison; and son, Thomas Eugene Tillison/Fincher.