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James William (J.W.) Tilley

Posted 2017-03-28 by Judy Wight Branson
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Sunday, March 26, 2017, page 5a

J.W. Tilley passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017, in Prescott at the age of 96. The son of a North Carolina tobacco farmer, J.W. will be missed by friends and family alike.

He attended George Washington University and served in the Army Air Corps in France during World War II as a navigator. J.W. used his communications skills to build a fruitful career in the telephone company, installing the first red “hot line” telephone in President Roosevelt’s White House bomb shelter.

In 1956 he was appointed Phoenix Area District Manager, responsible for Mountain Bell customer service for the entire region. In that position, J.W. also supervised hundreds of employees and became a mentor to numerous people, earning their admiration and respect through the years.

J.W. married the love of his life, Betty Lou in 1942, who survives him after 75 years together. Also surviving him is their son, Jim, who is a local veterinarian.

J.W. was a past president of Camelback Kiwanis, and enjoyed associations with the Model A Ford Restorers Club, the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. J.W. enjoyed traveling with his family, raising tomatoes and roses, restoring his Model A, building a cabin at Highland Pines in earlier days with his dad and son, and the sound of the wind through the pine trees. A gentleman in every way, he was grateful for the care he received from the caregivers at Highgate and Good Samaritan Hospice.

The family will announce a celebration of his life later this spring.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Honor Flight Arizona, P.O. Box 12258, Prescott, AZ 86304, so that other WWII veterans can enjoy the same visit they provided for J.W. to view the war memorial in Washington, D.C. Arrangements were provided by Hampton Funeral Home.

Information provided by survivors.




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