William Arthur Tilton Obituary
William (Bill) Arthur Tilton, age 70 of Allen TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early Friday morning August 16th, 2024. He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family. His wife, three children and his very devoted German Shephard Rodeo.
He graduated Denison High School in May 1972. He attended Grayson County College studying Law Enforcement. During his school years Bill was an exceedingly popular, handsome, all-around great student and person. He was Who's Who Among American High School Students 1970-1971. He served Student Council VP, Key Club, The American Legion Boys state delegate and elected Senior Captain to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was an avid athlete running track, hurdles, football, and pole vaulting. In 1968 in 8th grade Bill gave Hughes Jr High its only first place pole vaulting win, and he repeated that the following year in 9th grade. In addition, he loved motorcycle riding whether that was a race of flat track dirt biking or a casual ride on his street bike. His motorcycle awards were from his Enduro races. Placing third in state at one point.
He was born on May 20th, 1954, in Ipswich Suffolk England to Chief Master Sergeant Ellis E & Dixie Carr Tilton.
Growing up in Denison Texas, he attended Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and gave his life to Christ at the age of 12.
He married Carolyn Denise Holcomb April 25th, 1984, at the home of his Brother Rev Byron Tilton who officiated the ceremony and his wife Sharon who hosted the small event.
They raised three children together Erica Nichole, Erin Michelle and Tyler Andrew. The girls gave them four grandsons Jacob Andrew, Dylan Scott, Curtis James, and Porter Hayes.
Bill and Denise lived in Denison Texas for the first year of marriage. He worked bailing hay as a kid, working at KFC, Piggly Wiggly then at Kroger for 12 years. He applied for a law enforcement job with Garland Police Department, served 26 years until his retirement in 2011. He was awarded multiple honors throughout his career. After moving to Garland in 1985 he became a member New Liberty Baptist Church until his passing.
During the time he worked at Kroger he applied to the Dallas Police Department. Once approved, he went for his physical, shortly after was diagnosed with cancer. Then in 1985 moved to Garland to begin his much-anticipated law enforcement career. It was long overdue, due to his cancer diagnosis at the age of 22. Given only 6 months to a year to live. It was an unknown cancer in 1976. They treated him with massive amounts of radiation. He was treated over a 2-year span and was told due to that heavy treatment he would be unable to have his own children and not live beyond the age of forty. It was unknown to the doctors that God had another plan for Bill's life.
Our daughter described it best saying, "I think God just decided to put a pin in it for now in 1976. He knew then that there was a young lady with two young girls that needed a hero. If that was enough then came a big bouncing baby boy of his own in 1985. In July 2024 God removed that pin.". In July 2024, the doctor told Denise the radiation that saved his life at the age of twenty-two is taking him from you now.
God's plan for Bill was complete on August 16th at 12:50am. As their three children and Rodeo watched their dad and mom in his last moments loving and comforting one another unselfishly, eyes locked in on one another until his eyes closed in death.
Bill was preceded in death by his sister Doris Chapman, father Chief Master Sergeant Ellis (Bill) E Tilton, his mother Dixie Carr Tilton.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Denise) Tilton, Daughter Erica Nichole Taylor (Ken), Erin Michelle Taylor, Tyler Andrew Tilton. Brother Ellis (Howard) Tilton (Gail), Sister Phyllis Ashlock (Don) of Canton TX, Sister Connie Nuzum (Bob) of Ohio, Brother Byron Tilton (Sharon) of Caddo Mills TX. Grandsons Jacob Andrew, Dylan Scott, Curtis James and Porter Hayes. Numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. In addition, he was survived by his beloved German Shepherd Rodeo Joe, however only by one week August 23rd, 2024.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital or to your local animal shelter.
