Wallace Edward Tillman, 76, of Gautier, MS passed on to the embrace of our Heavenly Father on October 3, 2023. Wallace was born on July 24, 1947 in Pascagoula, MS to Ralph and Nita Tillman. He often told stories of his and his brothers' and sister's fun and mischievous childhood. During his teenage years, Wallace would work on the pogey boats captained by his Uncle Blackie Tillman.
Wallace joined the Navy in 1966 and was assigned to the IUWG-1 unit which was a small boat Battalion that patrolled the rivers during the Vietnam War Conflict. He was awarded many commendations for his service including the Navy Achievement Metal (With Combat V), Bronze Star Metal Extension for Valor, and was awarded the Vietnam Service Award five times. For many years, he and members of his IUWG unit would meet yearly for reunion gatherings. He was so proud of his service and would regale anyone and everyone with the stories of his life during this time.
After leaving the Navy in 1970, Wallace started his 31-year employment with International Paper Company, Moss Point Mill. During this time of his life, he played in a men's softball league and refereed high school football games.
Wallace's retirement came earlier than most and he lived it up. He could often be found on his boat, the Wally T, with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and any number of family and friends. Wallace loved restoring and showing his 1937 Ford Pickup and 1934 Ford Roadster. He never missed a chance to show off his prized cars at any cruise-in he could find, especially Cruisin the Coast. In the last years of his life, Wallace became an excellent builder of remote-controlled model boats. He also never missed a chance to order the greatest and most helpful gifts from Amazon for all his family, especially his great-grandchildren. Wallace loved his family with all that he was, and his family loved him just as much!
Wallace is preceded in death by his Father, Ralph Edward Tillman; his Mother, Ettie Juanita Church; his Sister, Evelyn Wright and her husband Ralph Wright; and his Brother Ralph Tillman.
He is survived by his Wife of 24 years, Beth Tillman; his Daughters, Buffie(Jason) Holden, Shelley(Rodger) Farabee, and Tracy Tillman; His Grandchildren, Timothy(Becca) Holden, Claire(Casey) Croy, Blake(Taylor) Farabee, Brooke Farabee; his Great-grandchildren, TJ, Truette, MaryBeth, and Hannah-Kay Holden; his Stepsons, Markus Motes and Kevin Motes; his Brother, Cecil Tillman; his Sister in law, Cindy Tillman; and so many more nieces and nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the Gautier Fire Department, the Gautier Police Department, and the EMT's for their kindness and compassion during this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family request a donation be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital as it was a favorite charity of Wallace's.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 11:00AM-12:00PM at Holder Wells Funeral Home 4007 Main Street Moss Point, MS 39563, the funeral service will follow at 12:00PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at 2:30PM at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.
To share condolences and sign the online register book in Wallace's memory, please visit www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com .
Holder-Wells Funeral Home served The Tillman Family.