William Ralph Tilley

Obituary: William Ralph Tilley, 85, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012 at the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. Born May 12, 1926 in Kannapolis, NC, he was the son of the late Edd Gattes Tilley and Elizabeth Lee Tilley. Mr. Tilley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked in the textile industry for many years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sibling, a sister, Betty Lou Sellers. Survivors include his wife Elsie Daves Tilley, two sons, SGM R. David Tilley, U.S. Army (Ret) and wife "Marty" of Kannapolis and Philip E. Tilley and wife Dawn of China Grove; five grandchildren, COL Eric D. Tilley, US Army, Lisa T. Carter, Andrea T. Jackson, Elizabeth T. Nottingham and CPL Philip C. Tilley, U.S. Army Ranger; six great-grandchildren, Jennifer D. Tilley, Matthew D. Tilley, Ashley D. Carter, Megan N. Carter, Samantha L. Carter and Zachary P. Jackson. A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery in China Grove, NC at an undetermined date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Kidney Foundation. Whitley's Funeral Home is serving the Tilley family.
Visitation: private

Service: Private graveside services will be held at a later date

Interment: private