Harry V. Tillman

Harold Victor Tillman, 89, of Ephrata, Washington, passed away quietly the morning of Friday, January 29, 2021, in his home. Harry was born on March 22, 1931, in Phelps, Wisconsin. He was the younger of two sons born to the late John E. Tillman and the late Gertrude Tillman. Harry went through a childhood of hard work living on his parent’s dairy farm in the Wisconsin woods, until at some point the family gave up the dairy and moved to town. Harry always said people could have heard him shout for joy on that day. After graduation, Harry played baseball and was a skilled and innovative pitcher, even having the possibility of joining the major leagues at his peak, and also enjoyed boxing. Harry enlisted in the Air Force in the summer of 1949, left Wisconsin, and ended up being assigned to Larson AFB around 1950 in the capacity of a jet aircraft mechanic. Staff Sergeant Tillman served his country, received an honorable discharge in January of 1953, and then elected to stay in Grant County, working at Larson as a civilian until around 1958. At one point he talked his parents into moving from Wisconsin to Ephrata, where they lived out the remaining years of their lives. After his military discharge in 1953, Harry also took some time off and enjoyed it with his close friends, sometimes hiking around looking for gold at old mining areas, sometimes driving to Portland for a few nights in the big city, as well as working the odd extra job here and there. Sometime around 1957 Harry met Ida Mason, who was working at the Ephrata J.C. Penney store. They dated for awhile, and on April 5, 1958, they ran off to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and were married. Harry ended his tenure with Larson around 1958, and worked at more odd jobs for a period. Soon some men came knocking on Harry and Ida’s door and asked him to come to work for the Bureau of Reclamation. He worked for the Bureau for many years and in 1985 retired early as a GS-7. Harry and his wife Ida were active in the antique and collectibles trade for over 30 years, participating in some of the largest antique shows in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Mr. Tillman enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, collecting and listening to vinyl records on high-end stereo systems, repairing electronics, researching and collecting antiques, going to estate sales, auctions, yard sales, and thrift stores, and above all else, taking care of his cats and family. He is survived by his daughter, June Echo; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Steve Lowe; son, John Tillman; brother-in-law Vernon Mason and his wife Gen; brother-in-law Curtis Mason; granddaughter and husband, Andrea and Jim Hopkins; grandson and wife, Paul and Angie Lowe; great-grandson and wife, Spencer and Amanda Lowe; great-granddaughter, Elisha Roberts; great-granddaughter and husband, Rene and Stephen Cheyney; great-grandson, Jordan Hopkins; great-grandaughter, Claire Lowe; great-grandaughter, Carlie Lowe; great-greatgrandchildren, Logan Roberts, Charlie Roberts, Leo Cheyney, Mira Cheyney, and Thomas Spargo. Mr. Tillman was preceded in death by his brother; his father, John E.Tillman; his mother, Gertrude Tillman; sons, Gary and Danny Tillman; and wife Ida Tillman, who passed away in September of 2019. Due to current difficulties, there will be no formal ceremonies, but viewing is encouraged and will be allowed at Nicoles Funeral Home, 157 C Street N.W. in Ephrata on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and lastly on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will take place at the Ephrata Cemetery on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 at 2 p.m. Again, there will be no formal graveside service, just a simple lowering of Harry into the ground next to his wife Ida. Anyone is welcome to stop by at that time to pay respect. There will be a more traditional graveside memorial ceremony at the Ephrata Cemetery with friends and family this spring, possibly on Harold and Ida’s wedding anneversary. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash.

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Harry V. Tillman

March 22, 1931 - January 29, 2021