Chester Earl Tillman's Obituary
Chester Earl Tillman passed away peacefully in Gainesville FL on July 20, 2024, surrounded by his children. He was 93 years old. His funeral will be held on July 27, 2024, at 12:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 10600 SouthWest 24th Avenue. A viewing will be held there from 10:30-11:30 AM prior to the funeral service. Chester will then be laid to rest at Saluda Cemetery, located in Orange Heights, FL.
Chester was born on May 18, 1931, in Arlington, Duval, Florida, as the ninth of twelve children to Irving Berrier, Sr. and Bertha Lurana Dyal Tillman. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Farr Tillman; his children, Jean Carlson (JD), Anna Wylie (Mike), Carrie McMurdie (Greg), Chet Tillman (Sandy), (Louanne), Steve Tillman (Cathy), Benjamin Tillman (Rosa), and Matt Tillman (Jesslyn); and his sister, Geraldine Cowart. He is also survived by 30 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Joe Tillman (Louanne) and his siblings, Iona, Arie Smith, Irving Berrier (I.B.), Vernon (Pete), Lloyd, Winfred, Ivan, Dalton, and Juanita Whitney.
Chester grew up in and around Gainesville, Orange Heights, and Fairbanks. His family moved many times while they sought work during the Great Depression. Chester graduated from Gainesville High School and then entered the United States Air Force in 1949, eventually serving in Okinawa during the Korean War maintaining communications equipment, mainly in air traffic control towers.
After he returned home, he served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Northern States mission. He was the first full time missionary called from the Gainesville area. It was there in 1953 that he first met Betty Jean Farr, who was also serving as a missionary.
After serving honorable missions, they attended Brigham Young University where they dated. They were married in the Salt Lake City Utah Temple in 1956 and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. From the time their relationship began, Chester put Betty first in his life, evident up to the very last days of his life. Their sweet and tender relationship is an inspiration to all who knew them.
Chester graduated from University of Florida with a Masters Degree in Counseling and Guidance, and Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology. As a University of Florida professor, he assisted in developing a reading clinic, taught educational psychology, and worked in counseling and guidance, and finished his career as a professor teaching technical writing and business communications courses in the English Department.
He accomplished this while raising a young family, moving several times, and serving faithfully in his church responsibilities. He retired in 1997 after 40 years in education. He had a love of learning, and his skill and training as an educator blessed his family as well as those he worked with. He saw great potential in people and knew how to help them become their best through love, patience, and encouragement. Chester was a true southern gentleman, very humble, and very kind to all. He loved to work hard and insisted on mowing his own yard up until a few months ago. He also had a great sense of humor.
As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chester served in many capacities, including as Bishop in Cocoa Beach and Gainesville Wards, and the Williston Branch. He also served as the Stake President and Patriarch of the Gainesville Florida Stake. After his retirement from the University of Florida, he and Betty served a mission to the Canada Winnipeg Mission in 1997-1999. Then they served in the Orlando Temple Presidency for six years. Throughout his years of church service he made many friends because of his sincere love for all. Chester possessed a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, sustained the living prophet and apostles, and strove to live his faith. He took great comfort in the knowledge that Jesus Christ has overcome death for all, and that their family is sealed together for eternity by the power of God. Losing Chester is painful, but it is temporary. His family looks forward to a future day when, as they keep the promises they have made to God, they will be reunited as a family.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid or Missionary Funds.
Please click on the link below to live Zoom the service.
https://zoom.us/j/97881642062?pwd=LVGwR1birkiLIKodS4oGjTbq9kUVcY.1
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