Tom Edmund Tilford

Thomas Edmund Tilford, better known as Tom passed away on March 16, 2022 at his home in Readyville, TN.  He was 95 years old.  He was the co-founder and owner of Tilford Lumber Co and Tilford Trucking Inc.  He was born in Anadarko, OK. on June 25, 1926.  Due to the Dust Bowl of the thirties, the family moved to Tennessee where he was been a life long resident of the Kittrell-Readyville, TN community. He attended Woodbury Church of Christ and was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Orville and Fannie Mai (Hood) Tilford, his wife, Jewell (Arnold) Tilford, and he was the last remaining of 6 brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his son, Randy Tilford and his wife, Becky (Alexander) Tilford of Readyville, granddaughter, Tracy (Gavin) Litchenwalter, great-granddaughters, Ruby, Reagan and Riley all of Murfreesboro; nephews, Ronnie Maxwell & family of Murfreesboro, Tommy Henson & family of Greenbriar, TN., Mike and Russell Halliburton & their families of Readyville, Danny Parker and Timmy Parker. 

He served in both World War II and the Korean War.  He volunteered for the Navy in WWII at the age of 17 and trained for Submarine duty.  About a month after he was transferred off one Submarine, it went down during training exercises off the coast of Hawaii and every man on board perished.  He also served on the USS Alabama battleship where his name is etched in infamy on a plaque that lists all the men that served on it during WWII.  It is presently docked at Mobile, AL as a reminder of what it took to get the United States of America to the great country it once was.  He had many fond memories of his time in the Navy. 

His favorite past time was work, and that is what he did until he wasn’t able.  He was well known in Cannon County and the surrounding area for his many years in the lumber, building supply and trucking business.  He was well known for being an honest and upstanding individual.  He was one of the few that remain of what some consider the greatest generation this Country has ever seen.  He will surely be missed.

Visitation with his family will be from 10 am until 2 pm Saturday, March 19, 2022 with funeral services to follow at 2 pm in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Bro. Herb Alsup will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Riverside Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Riverside Gardens for aid in its’ continuous care % Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311.  To leave condolences and memories with his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net 

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