William Loren "Billy" Tillman, 80, of Panama City, was welcomed by his Lord and Savior on Fathers' Day - Sunday, June 18, 2017.  He was born on Mothers' Day - May 9, 1937 in Apalachicola.  As a young child, he was dedicated to the Lord.  On March 31, 1986 – he and his family were baptized in East Bay near Tyndall Bridge on Easter Sunday.  He graduated salutatorian of the Class of 1955 from Wewahitchka High School.  In addition to being the President of the Student Body and Senior Class, he was on the Wewa Gators State Championship Basketball team in '52 and '53.  For 39 years, he served our country in the Florida National Guard, retiring as an officer.  His leadership included serving in Apalachicola for over sixteen years and becoming Commander of Company C.    For over 28 years, he provided for his family at Arizona Chemical Company; retiring as a maintenance supervisor.  On any given day, he enjoyed being outdoors.  He could be found either gardening - his vegetables or roses; cast-netting or shrimping; watching sunsets; or attending a ballgame with his family.

Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Kathay Gaskin Tillman; four children, Christina Rider; Michelle Tillman Stockton (Carl); William Loren Tillman Jr. (Wendy); Amanda Tillman Hutchins (Paul); ten grandchildren, Zachary Rider, Hunter Stockton, Jackson Rider, Baylie Tillman, John Thomas Stockton, Grant Hutchins, Will Tillman, Emily Hutchins, Brittany Cox (Matt), Hannah Merritt (Dakota); two sisters, Joan Tillery, Linda Gail Strickland (Curtis); brother, Dr. E. Albert "Shorty" Tillman (Jaye) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Loren "Buster" Tillman and Stella Birge Tillman, and a brother, Frank "Tommy" Tillman.

The family will receive friends at the Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Hiland Park Baptist Church with Dr. Carl Fondren officiating. Interment will follow in the Roberts Cemetery in Wewahitchka (Honeyville), FL. Active pallbearers will be his grandsons and son-in-laws.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Oakland Terrace Men's Club, the Retired Florida National Guardsmen, the Quarter Century Club at Arizona Chemical and the Freddie Simmons Sunday School Class at Hiland Park Baptist Church.  Those desiring to support his love of education may make memorial donations to the Oakland Terrace Men's Club Scholarship Fund in memory of Billy Tillman.