Obituary for David Billingsley Tillar
David Billingsley Tillar, 77, passed away on August 9, 2023, after battling a long illness. He was preceded
in death by his parents, Donaldson and Bettie Tillar. Dave is survived by his devoted and loving wife,
Ames, of 54 years; his three sons David B. Tillar, Jr. (Christy) of Gulf Breeze, Florida, W. Riddick Tillar
(Lillie) of Virginia Beach, Addison D. Tillar (April) of Richmond, and eight grandchildren: Virginia Ames,
Mason, Michael, Anna, Claudia, Ben, Emily, and Lane; two brothers Colonel (retired) Donaldson P. Tillar
Jr. (Hazel) of Williamsburg, Dr. W.T. Tillar III of Emporia, brother-in-law Dr. L.R. Brothers (Jane) of
Sedona, Arizona, and a host of loving and devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Dave grew up in Emporia, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia McIntire School of
Commerce in 1968. While at UVA, he was a member of the ROTC and received his commission in the
United States Air Force following graduation. Dave earned his pilot's license and later became an Air
Force ICBM missile launch officer stationed at Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Following four years
of service, he and Ames returned to their hometown, where he became President and CEO of Southern
Furniture Company. Dave later took on a role as a Chief Magistrate for the Commonwealth of Virginia
until 2011.
Dave loved his hometown friends, extended family, and especially adored his eight grandchildren. He
enjoyed hosting everyone at Lake Gaston and the Outer Banks. Dave enjoyed traveling with Ames and
was active in numerous civic affairs by sitting on the City Council, President of Rotary Club, President of
the Industrial Development Corporation, First Presbyterian Church, and many other civic organizations.
The family would like to thank his friends for their support over the past few years and his caregivers:
Ella Bullock, Dee Beal, and especially his nephew, Will Slate (Katie) and niece, Leavelle Tillar, for their
loving care and compassion.
A funeral service to honor Dave’s life will be held on Monday, August 14th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First
Presbyterian Church. A private graveside ceremony at the Emporia Cemetery will follow the service. In
lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 210 South Main Street Emporia, Virginia 23847.
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