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Lloyd Leslie Tilley Col USAF Retired
1934 - 2025
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Lloyd Tilley Obituary
October 1, 1934 - November 2, 2025
Age 91. Lloyd was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and patriot.
Lloyd was born October 1, 1934 in Agua Dulce, Texas and passed away at Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in New Underwood, South Dakota on November 2nd 2025. He passed away peacefully with his wife by his side.
Lloyd had an exemplary military career of over 37 years beginning in the Army in 1953, working on unmanned aircraft drones in Thule, Greenland. He continued his Army career in the National Guard while using the GI Bill to get his business degree at New Mexico State University where he met his future wife, Ellen Gordon.
After college, he went to seminary school to become a minister. He decided to continue his military career in the Air Force after being accepted into officer training school. He began a 32-year career that included Minuteman Missiles, training, mobile missile program in Sicily and maintenance.
After serving at the Pentagon for five years, Lloyd was transferred to Ellsworth AFB in 1976, buying a house in Piedmont where he and Ellen raised their family for over 45 years. He retired in November of 1987. His favorite hobby was woodworking where he built kids furniture and fantastic wooden toys for all his grandchildren. The toys are now being passed down to the great-grandchildren.
Lloyd was an active member of Piedmont Baptist Church for over thirty years.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and countless others, but we know that he is at peace and has a special place in heaven.
He is survived by his wife Ellen of 65 years, sons, David (Debbie), Dean (Linda), and Jim (Jennifer); grandkids David, Jr, Daniel, Nate, Lila, Bella, Antonia, Areya, Mathew, Christopher, and Brandon; and many great-grandkids that he really loved and enjoyed. He was preceded in death by his first son Lloyd Randal Tilley in July of 2005.
Lloyd will be laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery on November 10, 2025 at 11 am.
Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1051 E Minnesota Street ~ Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 343-4808
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1 Entry
Dr. Charles Snyder
Yesterday
Sorry to learn of his passing. He was my Operations Officer when I was the 68th Strategic Missile Squadron commander in 1976-1977 at Ellsworth AFB. Sincere condolences to Ellen and all family members.
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