L. Bradford Tillery Jr.

L. BRADFORD TILLERY

L. Bradford Tillery, Jr, age 87, of Wilmington, NC, died on October 19, 2010 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Wilmington, NC on July 16, 1923 to Lynn B. Tillery, Sr. and Duralde Larkins Tillery. He grew up in Wilmington where he as a varsity basketball player at New Hanover High School. He was also an Eagle Scout.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BS degree from School of Commerce and an L.L.B. degree from the School of Law.

He served in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war during World War II, entering service as an apprentice seaman and leaving as a Lieutenant (j.g.)

He began his legal career in 1950 and practiced law until his election as a District Court Judge in 1968. During his years of private practice he also served as County Attorney of New Hanover County, Deputy Judge of Recorders Court , and President of New Hanover County Bar Association. Shortly after appointment by Governor Bob Scott as a Judge of Superior Court in 1970, he was named Senior Resident Judge for the Fifth Judicial District, a post retained until his retirement in 1988. Following his retirement, he served as an emergency Judge through the year 1998.

Judge Tillery was President of the North Carolina Azalea Festival in 1964. He also served as chairman of the board of Trustees of Wilmington College, chairman of the board of directors of Legal Services of the Lower Cape Fear, President of the North Carolina Association of County Attorneys, President of the North Carolina Judges, and Vice-President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina.

From childhood he was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, where he served as Sunday School Teacher, choir member, deacon, and ruling Elder.He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn B. and Duralde Larkins Tillery, brother Wade Hampton Tillery, and sister Lynn Frances Hogarty.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Pat, of the home, two sons, Craig and his wife Phyllis of Anchorage, Alaska and Brad and his wife Jennifer of Leland, grandsons, David Tillery of New York and John Tillery of Virginia, granddaughter, Sarah of Virginia, nephews, Hampton Tillery and wife Penny of Wilmington and Gregg Joyner and wife Michelle of Zebulon, NC, nieces, Beth Bondurant and husband John of Florida and Crystal Phillips and husband Stewart of Kenly, NC, brother-in-law Ray Hill of Selma, NC , and special friend Alan Head

The family would like to extend their special thanks to Dr. Thomas Bumbalo and Dr. Henry Patel.

The funeral service will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, October 21, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Ernest Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the New Hanover County Bar Association.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. 3rd St., Wilmington, NC 28401 or the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1406 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401.

Online condolences may be made at www.andrewsmortuary.com

Andrews Market Street Chapel



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