William Ray Tilley

10/23/1933 ~ 11/30/2019

William Ray Tilley passed away on Saturday morning, November 30th, 2019 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. He was 86 years old.

Bill was born on October 23rd1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to William Frederick Tilley and Fern Gail Ray. At the age of twelve, he contracted Polio and spent eight months in confinement receiving treatments at both the local hospital and at home. He went on to graduate from Classen Senior High School in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of seventeen.

In March of 1953, during the Korean War, he joined the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Camp Roberts, California. Bill was assigned to the Eighth Army Special Services in Seoul, Korea. The unit was responsible for providing entertainment to the U.S. and United Nations forces in Korea. He met many entertainers and scheduled such stars as Marilyn Monroe at the various bases throughout the Eighth Army areas.

After the war ended Bill returned to the U.S. and attended Central State University in Edmond, OK. He became a member of the Young Democrats and was fortunate enough to meet the then senator John F. Kennedy. In May of 1964 he received his Bachelors degree in Business from Central State University. In 1968 he began what would be an almost 30 year career with the U.S. government. His career with the U.S. government took him from San Diego, CA, to Ogden, UT and eventually to Colorado Springs, CO. He retired as a GM-13 in July of 1994.

After retiring Bill returned to college and in May of 1997 he received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, in Anthropology. He then went on to spend many years pursuing his passion, archaeology.

Bill spent countless days involved with archeological digs in Southern Colorado. From 2001 to 2005 he was the President of the Pueblo Archaeological and Historical Society.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents William Frederick Tilley and Fern Gail Ray, sister Mary Jo Tilley, sister Judy Tilley, sister Susan Richardson and brother Michael Tilley.

He  is survived by his wife of 53 years Irene F. Tilley, son Guillermo Tilley of Sante Fe, daughter Gabriela Westby of Colorado Springs, son Christopher Tilley of Lakewood, granddaughter Claudia Westby and grandson Nathan Tilley. He also leaves behind one sister Fredricka Foote.

A private remembrance ceremony will be held by his family on Saturday December 14th, 2019 to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to the American Cancer Society in his name.

~ ~ ~