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BORN
1942
DIED
2017
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Joe Tiller Obituary
Mass of Christian Burial for Joe Tiller, 74 year old beloved family man, friend and football coach who was called home to be with the Lord September 30th, will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 11th from the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo, Wyoming with Father Pete Johnson as celebrant. A vigil service will be held and the Rosary recited at the church on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will be held from the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Tuesday from 1:00 until 7:00. Interment will be in the Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services immediately following the Mass. Donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Cowboy Carousel or The Fabry Support & Information Group (to help Fabry patients with the cost of treatments) in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.
Joseph Henry Tiller was born December 7, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Josephine and Francis Tiller. Joe attended Rogers High School and then Montana State University, earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education and playing for the football team. He was drafted by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League and played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League during the 1964 season. In 1965, Joe embarked on a 44-year career as a football coach and administrator. He was an assistant at Montana State (1965-70), Washington State University (1971-73 and 1989-90), Purdue University (1983-86) and the University of Wyoming (1987-88). From 1974 to 1982, Joe worked as an assistant coach, interim head coach, assistant general manager, and director of administration and player personnel with Calgary in the CFL.
Joe was the head coach at Wyoming from 1991 to 1996 and at Purdue from 1997 to 2008. His six-year record at Wyoming was 39-30-1, and he led the Cowboys to the 1993 Copper Bowl. In 12 seasons at Purdue, he became the winningest coach in school history with an 87-62 record and took the Boilermakers to 10 bowl games, including the 2001 Rose Bowl. Purdue won the 2000 Big Ten Conference championship. Joe was the 1997 Big Ten and national Coach of the Year. His spread offense changed the way the game is played in the Big Ten. His overall 18-year head coaching record was 126-92-1, a .578 winning percentage.
In 2008, Tiller was awarded the Order of the Griffin, one of Purdue's highest honors, given to individuals whose commitment to the university goes well beyond the call of duty, and whose strength and vision have greatly benefited the institution. He was inducted into the Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
On July 1, 1967, Joe married his dearly loved Arnette, and she survives, along with their three children, Julie, Renee and Mike (wife Hilda); and four grandchildren, Paulina, Lily, Gus and Tori. Joe also is survived by brothers, Charles Tiller of Manning, South Carolina, and Marvin Tiller of Toledo. Joe was kind-hearted and cherished the student-athletes he coached and his terrifically loyal assistant coaches and support staff. He will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Self-described as "a good guy who could also coach football," Joe endeared himself to football fans everywhere with his personality and humility. There was much more to Joe than football. He was devoted to God and the United States of America. His interests included antiques, art, cribbage, history, wildlife and good food. He was a member of the Model A and Pioneer Car Club in Buffalo, driving his 1929 Ford Model A in parades.
A viewing will take place at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo on October 10 from 1 to 7 p.m., followed by a Rosary and time for guests to share memories and tell stories. A funeral mass will be conducted at St. John the following day at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joe's name to the Cowboy Carousel Center (a Buffalo project Joe and Arnette have been involved with for several years) and the Fabry Support & Information Group (to help Fabry patients with the cost of treatments). Tax-deductible donations may be made online at cowboycarouselcenter.com and Fabry.org or through Harness Funeral Home in Buffalo.
View the online memorial for Joe Tiller
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Memories and Condolences
for Joe Tiller
April 16, 2018
I'm sorry for your loss.I hope you get the comfort and love you need at this time to help you through this hard time in you life.
Maureen Ward
December 27, 2017
Annette,I just happened to read that Joe died in Sept. My sincere condolences. Do you remember doing my hair in Bozeman for many years.My husband Louis Ward passed away in 2015 so I am alone also,we had seven children and are a blessing as yours will be. God bless Maureen Ward.
Brian Heatherton
October 7, 2017
I attended Purdue to obtain my doctorate from 1997 to 2002. Such a grueling process from such a high standard school left little time for anything other than studies and my family. My guilty pleasure is and was Purdue football and basketball! Thanks to Coach Tiller and. Keady the time spent away from my PhD was always time well spent!
There's was really no way to personally thank Coach Tiller for those temporary reprieves that were my Saturday afternoons! Remarkably, I was able to meet Coach Keady some years later at the annual (Springfield Illinois) Purdue booster club meeting when I won the autographed basketball that he brought to the club meeting!
I pray for Coach Tiller's peace and rest in the presence of God who can surely use a guy like him around! I pray for his family to find the solace and peace that time and memories will provide! Thanks, Coach, for making my time at Purdue bearable and for the memories!
B.F. Heatherton Ph.D.
Steve Ostermann
October 6, 2017
Coach Tiller is one of the most influential persons in my life.
His worldly lessons transcended his coaching profession.
Dedicated to his Maker, Arnette and family as well as
the thousands of young athletes he helped transform.
Always with his eye on the ultimate goal
of success in life and living right.
Amen to you my friend, mentor and football visionary.
Steve Ostermann ~ WSU 1972
October 4, 2017
Sincere condolences to the family and friends.
Psalm 46: 1
Emil Strohmaier
October 3, 2017
I had the privlage to know Joe during his high school years and play football with him at Rogers. It was a great to see all that he acheived through his hard work and dedication. He came from humble beings and maintained that humility through his lifetime. May the peace of God be with his family in third time.
Doug Stelma
October 3, 2017
Coach Tiller was a wonderful person and coach. He gave my son a chance and then a scholarship. We have many memories of Saturday afternoon games and two great Alamo Bowls. He helped bring our whole family together for these times. Our prayers and sympathies are with the family. God Bless you all.
DS....Michigan
Barba Tuss
October 2, 2017
Be at peace my friend ! We didn't quite make the cat/Griz game this year but I'm sure you'll be watching! Thank you for starting the 1st coaching clinic for women at Montana State which continues today and what got me involved with the game of football! Tell Hysel hi! Will miss our bantering back and forth!!
October 2, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to the family on the passing of your love one please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Cy
Jim Baugues
October 2, 2017
RIP coach. You were always very kind to me each and every time we met. Thank-you for bringing your wit & wisdom to boilermaker country. You are and will forever be very much remembered.
Chris Smith
October 2, 2017
Thoughts and prayers for the family. As a Purdue grad, my first season ticket year was Joe's first year as head coach. Thanks for some of the greatest moments/memories in my life.
Probably the greatest legacy you left was preparing young men for life beyond football.
Rest in Peace
October 2, 2017
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
October 2, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ron & Bonnie Gruchalski
October 1, 2017
We traveled to all the Purdue bowl games with coach Tiller. Thanks for the memories! Go Boilers!
May you rest in peace.
Jackie Thompson
October 1, 2017
So sorry for your loss coach Tiller was the best coach we have had. R I P COACH
Dave JJones
October 1, 2017
Joe you were the drive behind making purdue great again. But more important you molded boys into men. I've shed many tears the last couple days thinking of you. But my tears can't even compare to your beautifil wife Arnette my thoughts and prayers are with her and your children. God Bless you Joe RIP and gods speed
October 1, 2017
Coach Tiller was not only a great coach but a great human being. He brought pride to Purdue both on and off the field. I thought of him every time I drove by Buffalo on 90 on my way to Montana to fly fish. I'm so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Donald Richey DVM Purdue 1974
Marcus Harris
October 1, 2017
Coach Tiller was a very cared for and loved coach of a countless number of young men and he will be greatly missed. He was a rugged "cowboy" figure and his genuine love for the game will always be remembered! Thanks for giving me a shot Coach!
Love,
Marcus Harris
Beatrice Bursten
October 1, 2017
Thank you to the Tiller family for having shared Joe with the entire Boilermaker nation. I had the chance to meet and get a photo once with the Coach. Could not have been nicer nor more of a class act. All of us who love Purdue are very sad at Coach's passing. Deepest sympathies to the entire family.
October 1, 2017
Coach Tiller was from Toledo, OH and was a great coach at Purdue. I am also from Toledo, OH. and I am a Purdue alumnus. I am very grateful for everything that Coach Tiller accomplished. My deepest condolences.
Jack Witherell --Toledo,OH
October 1, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. May we have Kindness and Peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ. 2cor; 1:2
William Davey
October 1, 2017
Sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family...
Buckeye Fan
October 1, 2017
Couldn't help but admire Coach Tiller
October 1, 2017
My sincere condolences for your loss may you find memories bring you happiness and good times remembered. Your fond memories bring some joy out of this sad occasion.
Boiler Fan
October 1, 2017
Saddened to hear of Coach Tiller. He was a class
act on the football field and off. The Boilermaker
family has lost one of the good guys. Sympathy
to his friends, family and former players wherever
they may be today! Is said "God has a plan for
us". For Coach, let it be another game. Gods
speed and RIP, Joe! Thanks for the wonderful
memories you created at Purdue!
J
October 1, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Robert
September 30, 2017
To the family of Joe Tiller:
Several years ago I suffered the lost of my mother and these are some of the words that brought me comfort:
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away."
I hope this brings you comfort in some small away. My prayers are with you.
Robert
Dave Mann
September 30, 2017
To the Tiller Family:
It was an honor and privilege to have met Joe Tiller several times at Purdue's annual spring football dinner. A genuine, class individual who brought exciting times to Purdue.
Condolences to you all.
A Caring Neighbor
September 30, 2017
Offering my heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the family of Joe. May God grant solace to the family during this most challenging time. With Love & Prayers
Joe Tiller
September 30, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with Arnett, and the Tiller family. Many fond memories of catering to Coach Tiller's and his infamous Purdue Football program. It was my honor to serve Coach Tiller. Coach was a legend and will always be remembered.
Lee Ann Howenstine and son Paul Graves, Seattle Beanery Restaurant, W. Lafayette, IN.
Michael Ganz
September 30, 2017
Was an honor and pleasure to know Mr Tiller. All my hopes to Arnett and his family
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