Joe Neil Tillery

Joe Neil Tillery, 67, loving husband and father, slipped peacefully into the Lord?s arms Friday morning, February 7, 2003 at home. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Monday, February 10, 2003 in the First Baptist Church with Reverend Dewayne Beaty and Reverend Harlan Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Park Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 4-6 PM. Joe was born December 6, 1935 in Ft. Worth, TX to Charlie and Winnie Tillery. He attended Carter Riverside High School, Texas A & M University and graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor?s of business administration degree in 1959. He served as a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, Longview-Greggton Rotary in which he had served as International Service Director, National Association of Accountants in which he had served as Membership Director and Sharon Temple. He was a captain in the National Guard and worked for NCR in the computer industry for 17 years. In 1978 Joe and Gail opened the Sassy Pan. An avid and accomplished chef, Joe enjoyed the shop and loved getting to know people who were regulars. For 23 years he turned the Sassy Pan into a meeting place, where everyone who entered felt welcomed. ?Dede? delighted in spoiling his grandkids, and they treasure all the funny wonderful memories he?s left for them. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Gail Rose; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Chuck Shive; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Delilah Tillery and daughter and son-in-law, Alyson and Tom Bumpass; grandchildren, Sarah Gail, Mary Elizabeth and Laura Grace Shive, Casey, Hayden Neil and Trey Bumpass; mother-in-law, Dymple Lester; brother, Jerry Tillery; four nieces, Deb, Shelley, Christie and Taryn and faithful canine companion, Shadow. We want to thank all of Joe?s doctors, who worked so diligently for him over these last few years, especially Dr. William Torres and staff, Dr. Byron Cook and staff and Dr. Alex Smith and staff and Good Shepherd Wound Care Center. Dorrie Faulkner was a special blessing to us, as was Linda Bobo and Rehab at Home. Dr. Margaret Schottstaedt and Greater Hospice of Texas were wonderful to us. Their caring attitude and loving nature made this difficult journey easier to bear. Joe demonstrated his love for his family everyday. We?ll miss him greatly, until we?re all together again in Heaven. The family asks that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church Stained Glass Window Fund or to Greater Hospice of Texas. Sign memorial guestbook at www.raderfh.com.

Joe Neil Tillery

December 6, 1935 - February 7, 2003