Thomas Nolan Tillman

Major Thomas Nolan Tillman, Sr., USAF, Retired

Gibson, GA- Major Thomas Nolan Tillman, Sr., USAF, Retired, 84, of Gary Usry Rd. entered into rest September 2, 2013 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the Sweetwater Baptist Church with Dr. Alan Tillman and Rev. Grant Cantrell officiating. Pallbearers will be Grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Men's Adult Sunday School Class, Deacons of Sweetwater, Ken Richards, James Biles and Lavell Webb. Interment will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery with full military honors.

Mr. Tillman was born in Dover, North Carolina to the late Claude C. Tillman and the late Annie Padrick Tillman. He attended the University of Georgia until the Korean Conflict and joined the U. S. Air Force where he proudly served his country as a fighter pilot, following the war he served as a Flight Instructor. He continued his service during Vietnam Era and retired in 1972 as a Major. Mr. Tillman was a former member of the Singing Americans and was the founder and former President of the Lowndes County High School Viking Booster Club. He served as minister of music for many churches including Second Baptist Church. He was a faithful and devoted member of Sweetwater Baptist Church. Mr. Tillman was an avid outdoorsman and fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Frances Usry Tillman; sons, Thomas Tillman, Jr. and wife, Barbara, James M. Tillman, Alan Tillman and wife, Patricia, Troy Scott Tillman and wife, Penny; daughter Jean Michelle Sheffer and husband, Matt; step sons, Stan Usry and wife, Debra, Craig Usry and wife, Vicky; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Mr. Tillman was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jean Burton Tillman and a sister and 4 brothers.

Memorials may be made to the Sweetwater Baptist Church Building Fund.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the funeral home.

Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.