Claude E. "Gene" Tillman

Gene was born in Springdale, Arkansas on June 29, 1924 to Claude and Eva Tillman. His family moved to Bakersfield, California when he was a small child and then six years later moved to Armona, California. During the sixth grade he met Euthalee Hoggard and on June 6, 1942 married his childhood sweetheart in Reno, Nevada. In 1943, Gene entered the United States Army, serving during World War II in Germany. When the war ended in 1945, Gene returned home to his wife and young son, Don. He worked as a truck driver for many years and owned and operated three trucking companies over the years. Gene moved into sales management for Diamond T Trucks in Fresno, Kenworth Trucks in Bakersfield and Long Beach. From 1993 to 2000, Gene owned the Biola Recycling Company in Biola, California. He later started Tilco, Inc as a dispatching company and then transitioned into a Trust Deed Company. Gene was a strong willed man with a kind heart. He was very generous and enjoyed helping people. Gene and Euthalee enjoyed traveling in their motor home to visit family in Arkansas. He enjoyed telling stories of his childhood, the war, and had a great sense of humor. Family was important to Gene and he enjoyed the many hours spent together. He was preceded in death by two sons, David Lee Tillman and Dennis Dean Tillman; his sister, Nadine Olson and brother, Carroll Don Tillman. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Gene is survived by his wife, Euthalee of Fresno, CA; his son Don Tillman and wife, Nancy of Fresno, CA; four granddaughters, Jennifer Tillman, Rachael Cipriani and husband, Mike, Dianna Gilbreath and husband, Jason and Lisa Tillman; eight great grandchildren and three nieces.

Visitation will be held at People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty Street in Hanford on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 11 a.m. at People’s Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Grangeville Cemetery in Armona, CA.

Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com

Arrangements entrusted to People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584-5591