Final Salute

Preston A. “Winker” Tillery Obituary

UT2 (USN Ret) Preston A. “Winker” Tillery, age 90, resident of Smiths Station, Alabama, passed away on Friday, September 14, 2018 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital.

Mr. Tillery, son of the late Richard Floyd Tillery and Myrtle Hall Tillery, was born June 30, 1928 in Lee County, Alabama. After high school, he began a career in the U.S. Army (24th Infantry) and served in the Korean Conflict.

He then joined the U.S Navy (Construction Battalion) , and later retired, serving his country honorably with over 27 years of military service.

Mr. Tillery was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church, Phenix City, Alabama and was also a member of the Amen Choir.

Mr. Tillery is survived by two daughters, Marjorie Nicholson and her husband Jerry of Phenix City, Alabama and Marian Smalley and her husband John of Smiths Station, Alabama; two sons, Andy Tillery and his wife Sandra of Smiths Station, Alabama and Todd Tillery and his wife Leigh Anne of Phenix City, Alabama; sister-in-law, Vivian Tillery of Phenix City, Alabama; nine grandchildren, Keya Youngstrom and her husband Kevin, Malaina N. Rexrode and her husband Dan, Preston Smalley, Mary Kathryn Smalley, Lindsey Greer and her husband Mike, Cameron Tillery, Morganne Tillery, Aubrey Tillery, and Kellanne Tillery; four great-grandchildren, Zachary Youngstrom, Noah Youngstrom, Stella Tillery, and Dominick Ottinger; many other relatives and friends.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Suzanne Gilmore Tillery; three brothers, Jack, Guy, and Ned; two sisters, Gurtha and Alice; and a great-granddaughter, Skyla Ottinger.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 3pm with Reverend M.R. Hamilton and Reverend Ralph Henderson officiating.
Private interment will follow in Lakeview Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.