Fred C. Tillman

Fred Tillman took his final journey, to the "TTT Ranch," in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 8th. Fred is survived by his wife Pam Arnoult-Tillman, son Dickie Tillman and fiancé Joy Lavender, her daughter Alyssa Lavender, grandson Dylan Tillman, daughter Lisa and husband Kenneth Black, granddaughter Morgan Black, step-children Donnie Arnoult, Ken Arnoult, Chris Arnoult, Curry Salandi, Bronson Arnoult, 14 step-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Betty Pitcher, Shirley Jenkins, Karen Williams-Tillman, as well as Tommy Dye, who has always been a son to him.

Fred was born in Taylor, Texas, grew up in Austin, and attended high school at William B. Travis High School. In his beginning years of work, he started at Covert Buick on W. 5th Street. He worked there for several years and taught mechanic classes. He started his own business, shortly after with nothing more than hard work and one dump truck. He added one piece of equipment at a time and side by side, with his son, Dickie, he built "Fred Tillman Contractor Inc." They created an amazing team.

He opened his home and heart over the years to many young people and gave them a helping start. He adopted kids, who many wouldn't have given the time of day, and loved them.

His daughter and he meant the world to each other. In her words: "He will always be this giant of a man, and whether I am 5- or 45-years-old, I was always his little girl." When the Girls Scouts were selling cookies, he bought the entire lot.

He loved his grandchildren and did everything to give them a wonderful life and supported whatever they wanted to do. He and Morgan had a pickle joke that carried on for years; Morgan would even make him pickles. His grandson called him "Uncle Fred" and Fred called him "Uncle Dill." They had an extremely strong bond that started with Fred's complete support; he was always Dylan's biggest fan.

To his friends, Fred was known for his open-door policy and extreme generosity. He loved children and many of them referred to him as “Uncle Fred.” He gave them opportunities they would have never been given without his support and generosity.

Over the years Fred has been committed to helping schools around Texas and has been especially generous to the Lake Travis area. One of many donations was the score board for the Lake Travis High School football field. He purchased trophies for the kids in Freer, Texas, for hunting competitions, baseball trophies for the kids, and t-shirts for many other events around town, just a few examples of his endless generosity.

In the work world, he was not only respected, but very well liked. Many of his employees have dedicated themselves to him and been with him for years; he was just as dedicated and loyal to them. He was always smiling, happy, joking around and always had a good attitude. No one ever had a negative word to say about Fred. Fred built business relationships that became loyal friends. Those that had the privilege of spending time with and knowing Fred, know, that he is a man of his word, extremely generous and loved his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten; his many monuments around Austin, will forever remain his tribute.

Fred was preceded, in death, by his father, Neil Carlton Tillman; mother, Emma Tillman-Shean; stepfather, Whitey Shean; wife of 16 years, Myrna Anne Tillman; son, Charles David Tillman; and Steve Wilson, whom was like a son to him.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2011 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2011 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Baldwin officiating. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Fed as pallbearers will be Kenneth Black, Karl Daniels, Tommy Dye, Jim Erdeljac, Chad Erwin, Bryan Hall, Barry Krieger, Ronnie Menges, and Jim Phillips.