Daniel Burton "Danny" Tilley

On November 15th, 1954, Daniel was brought into the world in the small town of Akron,Ohio.The fifth child of Ina Mae Tilley & Samuel Lewis. At the age of 15 Danny went to live with his foster parents, Tom and Louise Vandiver where he gained a new little brother, Terrance, as he and his siblings were split up and placed into foster care. Anyone who knew Danny knew he had a love and a passion for American culture from Nascar to Football to WWF Wrestling. Danny spent a small part of his life as a delivery driver. Driving Big Rigs up and down the coastline and across the countryside. He also spent a small portion of his youth as a maintenance man, repairing amusement park rides for a traveling carnival with brother, Larry. He soon would entertain the notion of his need for speed by joining a racing stock cars team in the Grand Prix. During a couple of intense races, he would flip two stock cars before realizing that this may be the wrong career path for him. Danny then turned back to his passion for becoming a mechanic and working in the cockpit of the infamous El Cajon Speedway and with Ricky Automotives. His passion for working on cars leads him to meet the love of his life. Tammi Lavada Tilley, who would change the course of his reality forever. After a short time dating, they married. After a few short years of marriage, they decided to pack up their belongings and move across the country. They settled down in Sunny San Diego, California. Here, Danny's life soon changed for the better. Leading him into a life of attending a few churches; South Bay Pentecostal, Bible Life, Emmanual Temple and Righteous Living Ministries. Where he found a connection and formed a true bond with the brothers in the Church. His kind heart made him a huge staple wherever he went. Many of the Deacons would refer to him as Uncle Brother. Because of his great love for God's work, he became a Deacon and proudly served the right-hand man for Pastor Russell Bowman at Righteous Living Ministries. Danny would spend a good amount of his day working on small projects like creating stages and prompts for performances at church events. With his excellent handyman abilities, Danny took a position at San Diego Community College as a Custodian. He gave 20 years of dedicated services to the district then retired. In his leisure time, you could catch him relaxing in his man cave, cracking open a cold can of Mountain Dew and a Cigarette, Kools was his brand! Dan-the-Man enjoying the good life. MDTilley for those who knew, this is his inside joke. Daniel Burton Tilley suddenly shocked the world and entered God's loving arms on January 10th, 2025. Danny will be truly missed by his siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, In-Laws and a multitude of friends who loved and truly cherished being in his presence. Danny loved hard and yet gently touched the hearts of all who knew him. Daniel will now rest comfortably alongside his Mom and Dad, Ina Mae & Samuel, his siblings Caroline Rafferty, Ohio, and Larry Tilley, New Jersey, His foster parents, Elder Tommy and Louise Vandiver. And I know he will be greeted with open arms by his loving wife, Tammi L. Tilley. Danny is survived by His children: Jermaine Wheeler; Fredrick (Monet) Tilley all of Akron, OH: Arthur Tilley of San Diego, CA; Johnnylee Wright of Lorain, OH; Natasha Silverthorne of San Diego, CA; Natalie Velasquez, Houston, TX; Nicole Velasquez of San Diego; CA; and Dauntea Tilley of Akron, OH. His brothers and sisters: Sandra Wilcher of Detroit, MI; Sara Vargo of Dayton, OH; Ronald Tilley of Bloomington, IL; Nancy Ginther of New York; Mary Margaret (Kenny) Chapmen of Bethel, OH; and Mark (Sue) Tilley of Mainville, Ohio. His grandchildren: Reyanna and Tyrie Wheeler; Gyasi, Frederick Jr., Daniel, Tamia, Brandon and Alivia Tilley; Naomi, Toni and Johnnylee Jr Wright; Chloe, Sophia and Hannah Silverthorn; Kristina, Kataleya, Kennedy and Christian Jr. Henry and Tru Essence McNair. Great grandchildren Karli, Maya and Frederick III Tilley, Woodrow White the 5th, and Huey Wheeler. And a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, In-Laws and Friends. His Legacy will live forever. Daniel's funeral service will be held Friday, January 17, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton 44203. The family will receive friends from 12 Noon till of his service at 1 p.m.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Daniel "Danny" Burton Tilley, please visit our floral store.