Also, while at Henderson, he met Carolyn Castleberry, his wife of 63 years. Together they raised 4 children, Donna, Terri, Traci and Scott. Harold's athletic and coaching achievements were many. He was proud to have been a part of five high school football State Championships, two State Runner ups, two high school basketball State Championships and one college AIC Football Championship. In 1968 he was named Texas High School Basketball Coach of the year, 1977 Arkansas High School Football Coach of the year, 1979 Arkansas Inter-Collegiate Football Coach of the Year and 1979 NAIA District Football Coach of the year. Always a Henderson Reddie at heart, he was proudly inducted into the Henderson Hall of Honor in 2012. After retirement, he enjoyed continued relationships with his players and coaches. He believed if you ever played for him, you will forever be a part of his life. Harold was an avid fisherman, practical joker and story teller, who loved laughter and life. He was of the Methodist faith and most mornings, he could be found swapping stories with the Methodist Church coffee group enjoying all the men's company and the occasional ribbings that they liked to do with one another.
Harold is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children Donna and Dale Johnson of White Hall, AR, Terri and Keith Montgomery, Traci and Michael Bone, Scott and Vicki Tilley all of Monticello; ten grandchildren, Eddie Gates, Andy Johnson, Eric Johnson, Kelley Jo Eckhart, Byron Montgomery, Jacob Bone, Jesse Bone, Logan Bone, John Ryan Tilley, Jordan Tilley; ten great-grandchildren and his loving dog, Butch. He was preceded in death by his father, S.E. Tilley, mother, Maybelle Tilley, sister, Annette McGlothin and great grand-daughter, Schuyler Gates.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Hospice and home health. Memorials can be made to Monticello Second Chance Fur Dogs, PO Box 322 Monticello, AR 71657 or Arkansas Hospice.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial to follow with Military Honors at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery in Alexander, AR at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will be held on hour prior to service time. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(28)
mary
Fayetteville, NC Monday, November 19, 2018 Rest in peace Coach T. from your former PBHS cheerleader class of 78..... fond memories of you telling me to keep the boys excited and pumped up... i smile when i think of you... TAKE YOUR REST DEAR KIND SIRCharles Rankin
El Dorado, AR Friday, September 21, 2018 Great Coach and great family. Sorry for your loss.Sandra Sheets
England, AR Thursday, September 20, 2018 My prayers and sympathy are with you. I played for Coach Tilley at England High School in the 60's. That was good times. God Bless YouJoan Koskoski
Conway, AR Thursday, September 20, 2018 I loved having Tilley as a neighbor so many years! Praying for you Carolyn.Jim Bennett
Austin, TX Wednesday, September 19, 2018 So sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Tilley. So many of us learned so much from him during our time at Dial Junior High School. I have great memories of him and those days. Prayers are with his family.John McGaha
, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Tilley Family,Keeping you in our prayers during this difficult time.
John & Theresa McGaha
Robert Evans
Murfreesboro, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Our sympathies and prayersJanis Bowie Campbell
England, Ar 72046, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 I am a member of the girl basketball team of 1962-63 in England, Arkansas under Coach Tilley. He was a kind man, loved playing under his leadership. I know that he will be greatly missed by all the loved him.Janice Gladden Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 I am sorry for your loss. Harold was a great athlete and family man who leaves a great legacy for you all and others. May God give you peace and comfort in your loss.Joe Guenter
Monticello, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Harold, we will all miss you at coffee......Joe
Susan Drost
Pine Bluff, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Donna, I am sorry for your loss...Thoughts and prayers for you and the familyWalter & Elaine Worthen
Monticello, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 You are all in our prayers.Tommy Howard
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Coach gave me a chance to work on his staff in 1976. I will always appreciate him. He was one of the good guys.Dolly Farmer
Monticello, AR Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Tilley family, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I pray God holds all of you in His loving hands.Marcia Hutcheson
Jonesboro, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Traci, so sorry for your loss. My Dad just passed away In May. May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time. We will be praying for you!Barbara Hayden
Monticello, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Byron Montgomery and Jesse Bone, so sorry for your loss. May God comfort and bless you during this difficult time.Hazel Potts
Monticello, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Dear FamilyI was sorry to hear of Mr Tilley passing. I did not know him personally but he was a very blessed man to have accomplished so much and to have such a beautiful wife, who was always smiling and amazing children He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him May GOD wrap you each in his loving and comforting arms for comforting that only he can give. My prayers for each of you
MY deepest Sympathy
Hazel Alan and Nicole
Hazel Potts
Monticello, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Dear FamilyI was sorry to hear of Mr Tilley passing. I did not know him personally but he was a very blessed man to have accomplished so much and to have such a beautiful wife, who was always smiling and amazing children He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him May GOD wrap you each in his loving and comforting arms for comforting that only he can give. My prayers for each of you
MY deepest Sympathy
Hazel Alan and Nicole
James and Kathy Berry
Monticello, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Tilley FamilyWe are sorry for loss.Love and prayers
James and Kathy
Bea Tucker
Wilmar, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 To the Tilley Family,So sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I know you all will miss him dearly. May God wrap his loving arms around each of you and give you comfort and strength during this difficult time. Praying for the family.
Michael Outlaw
Crossett, AR Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Scott and family, so sorry to hear the news of your Dad. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.Jacqueline Jones
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 Prayers are being lifted up for the Tilley family.Jim Baker
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 Just lost a great fishing buddy from years gone by. Catch a big one "up there" for me Coach. Love and prayers to Carolyn and the kids.Kathryne Burton
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 My family is thinking of all of you. May the Good Lord bless and keep you.Bernetta Lowe
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 Prayers of sympathy and support to my classmate Scott and his entire family.Lee Ann Groce Tadel
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 I am so sorry to hear about Coach Tilley. My dad, Bill Groce, thought a whole lot of Coach Tilley. Again prayers for the family.🙏🏻Diana Abney
Sherwood, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 Our deepest condolences for your family's loss.May your heart and soul find peace and comfort by the
outpouring of love surrounding you.
Sincerely,
Tim & Diana Abney
Nancy Early
Monticello, AR Monday, September 17, 2018 So sorry to hear about Harold. He was an influential part of Alvy's coming to UAM . He could be a task master on minute and have such humor the next. I remember asking Alvy if he was serious when he said some things.He's keep a straight face so I wasn't sure . I know you'll miss him. He's definitely in a better place, free from pain and all the things that you've been dealing with. Blessings to your family.