Wheiles “Joe” Tillman, loving husband, daddy, papa and great-papa, passed away in Gore, Oklahoma, Wednesday February 14, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.

Joe was born May 27, 1952, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to Joe M. Tillman and Laura Marie (Perry) Tillman. He attended Tahlequah High School and graduated in 1970, right before registering in the military. Joe entered the Air Force in 1972, specializing in law enforcement. While traveling the world and bravely serving in the Vietnam War, he became a sergeant in 1974. He was released from active duty in 1976, and after serving in the reserves for almost 2 years, he ended his military career in 1978 with great honor and many achievements.

Following Joe’s time in the service, he began his welding career in the oil fields in Lindsay, Oklahoma. He was a very talented and skilled man who could build or repair just about anything. In 1986, he was hired as a millwright at Sequoyah Fuels where he worked until 1995. During his time there, he met his wife, Brenda Johnson, who also worked at Sequoyah Fuels. At the time, Joe was a single dad to two little girls, April and Ashley, and Brenda was a single mom to one young lady, Kimberly.  On May 27, 1994, the five of them became one big family.

After finishing his employment at Sequoyah Fuels, Joe continued his millwright career at Whirlpool in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1995. His skills were put to work at the corporation for 13 years, and in 2008, he decided to retire and enjoy the rest of his years at home with his family.

Joe loved classic westerns, playing along with Jeopardy, and watching anything crime related. He was extremely knowledgeable in history, old movies, music, and pretty much everything else you can think of. He had an incredible sense of humor and loved a good joke. He was quite the prankster. Every day without him is a little less funny and a little more boring. He will be missed beyond measure.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Laura and Joe Tillman; and in-laws, Jean and Claude Hall.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his sister, Serena Geary, and husband Jake of Ringwood, OK; his children, Kim Johnson of Muskogee, OK; April Kennedy and son-in-law Brandon Kennedy of Vian, OK; and Ashley Sloan and husband Cody of Gore, OK; grandchildren, Brody and Raily Johnson of Muskogee, OK; Kailey (Kennedy) Scaff and husband Matthew and their daughter Lorelei of Parkhill, OK; Kalli Jo Kennedy of Vian, OK; Adeline, Crawford and Clara Sloan of Gore, OK.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2024, at The Ridge at Strayhorn Marina on Lake Tenkiller in Gore, Oklahoma. Please join us for a BBQ lunch as we remember all the amazing memories we have of this beloved man.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forever Memories Funeral Services, INC, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

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