Willard L. Tilley

Willard Leroy Tilley, 84, entered this world on January 19, 1929 in Frankfort KS, and had his final sunset on July 13th, 2013. He was the youngest child of Elsie (Churchill) and James Howard Tilley. Welcoming this bouncing baby boy into the world were his brothers Melvin, Dale, and Kenneth and his favorite and only sis…Dolores. Willard attended grade school at Allison school west of Frankfort, and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1947. In the summer months he would work on the farm and help with harvest. He went on several harvest runs with Ed Shearer. When he wasn’t working he like to pick up his guitar and pic a little and sing country songs. After high school Willard and several other Frankfort boys decided it was necessary that they serve their country. Willard never saw battle on foreign soil, but was proud to say he served his country on US soil. Joining the service meant leaving behind his sweetheart….Anna Jane. Willard and Anna Jane (Jones) were married on November 6, 1949. They lived in Mineral Wells, Texas while he was serving with the US Air Force. While in Mineral Wells, they were blessed with two children, Greg and Nancy. In 1958, they decided to return home to Frankfort. This is when Willard and Hank Sisk decided to open up T & S Oil Company. Their first day of business was in July 1958, was not what they at all expected. Opening day resulted in a flood…..tires floating down main street was not on the agenda for their Open House at T & S Oil Company. That soggy start did not stop them. Willard and Hank worked many long hours, from sun up to sun down. In 1959, they bought their first school bus. That first bus was one of many! Willard and Hank retired in July of 1989. They touched the lives of many little kids kicking and screaming and not wanting to go to school and then watched them graduate. They traveled many miles over the 30 year span picking up kids every morning and safely delivered them home every night. Not to mention the countless ballgames, music concerts, and track meets. A former student said she loved riding when Willard drove…he always drove faster than Hank! Willard continued to manage the buses for a couple years, before he decided it was time to really retire! After retirement, Willard and Jane enjoyed their grandchildren, camping, fishing, picin on his guitar and spending winters in Arizona. Willard loved life and rarely knew a stranger. If they came into his life a stranger they always left as friends. Willard and Jane were blessed with 5 grandchildren. They enjoyed their school activities, taking them camping in the summer and always enjoyed their drop-in visits. Willard was always the life of the party….always the one with the joke. Willard lost the sparkle in his eyes in 2002 when Jane was killed in a tragic car crash. After the crash Willard lived with his daughter Nancy for a couple years, and then went back to his own home until he could no longer live by himself. He has resided at the Frankfort Community Care Home for the past 3 ½ years. His companion, DUKE (his little Yorkie) has been by his side and on his lap since Jane passed away. Duke was with him on his lap when he passed away. Preceding Willard in death were his parents, Howard and Elsie Tilley; brothers, Kenneth, Melvin and Dale; sister, Dolores Gordon; and son-in-law, Ronald Bramhall. Survivors include his son, Greg and wife Kathy, Manhattan; daughter, Nancy Lisher and husband, Ray, Frankfort; grandchildren, Ryan (Angie) Bramhall, Topeka, Jason Tilley, Topeka, Kevin Tilley, Tonganoxie, Kylie Novotny, Manhattan, and Abby (Matt) Kirk, Frankfort; great-grandchildren, Regan and Conner Bramhall, Bryson, Madison and Ian Tilley, Alayne and Matthew Novotny, and Sebastian and Jillian Kirk. Willard will lie in state Wednesday, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., at Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a “Jam” session on the lawn of the funeral home during family visitation. Willard loved music and jammin with his friends…..Come pay your respect and enjoy the music Willard loved! We will celebrate Willard’s life at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 18, at the United Methodist Church in Frankfort. Rev. Susan Montgomery will officiate. The pallbearers will be Robert Tilley, Keith Tilley, Dennis Tilley, Jim Tilley, John Jones, Chuck Jones, Doug Jones and David Gordon. Burial will be in the Frankfort City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Frankfort American Legion and Meadowlark Hospice. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard L. Tilley, please visit our flower store.