James M Tilley

James Michael Tilley

March 31, 1945 – April 10, 2017

Jim was a man who loved life, and lived it to the fullest. Jim, Sweetheart, Babe, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Jim/Jimbo, Tilley Man, Jim Hot Tub Tilley, Jim Cowbell Tilley, the names go on. He always had a big smile on his face, and was a man of great passion. He is survived by his loving family; wife Dana Barker Tilley, his three adult children: James Tilley Jr. and wife Stacy Nixon Tilley, Jennifer Tilley Reinke and partner Joe Fink, John Tilley and wife Renee Haan Tilley, and their mother Janet Hunt Tilley. Seven grandchildren, Taylor, Alden, Garrett, Caroline, Sophia, Ava, Henry, and great-grandson Arthur. Sister Bette Tilley Fassbach and husband Bob Fassbach, brother Chris Tilley and wife Deb Steinman Tilley, nieces and nephews Lisa, Amy, Susan, Andrew, Stephen, and Robin. He was preceded in death by his brother Donald Tilley, and parents James C. Tilley and Rita Shields Tilley.

Jim was in the Army Airborne 101st Screaming Eagles, where he was a member of the R&D team developing new parachute technologies during Viet Nam. Jim then went to Central Michigan University, but was ultimately a Pizza Guy. Period. His career spanned decades in the pizza business, starting at Pizza King in Mount Pleasant, Domino’s Pizza and Papa John’s Pizza where he was a senior level executive. He loved working in the pizza stores with the crew and franchisee’s where his passion was to help them be successful.

Cremation is taking place; services will be April 29 at St. Colette Church Livonia, Michigan with 11:00 visitation followed by the funeral mass at 11:30. Please do not send flowers as the church is full of Easter flowers. If you’d like to contribute in Jim’s memory, Dana will be using monies to support their two parishes: St Colette to buy a gold lectionary cover as Jim was always a lector and so loved that ministry.

And Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral in St Thomas, USVI where they are undergoing a cathedral restoration project. Jim and Dana were married at Magen’s Beach on St Thomas, and would attend Mass at the cathedral during their annual anniversary trip to their island. Jim’s ashes will be placed in the beautiful blue waters of Magen’s Bay in June.

Arrangements under the direction of NEPTUNE SOCIETY - Detroit (MI), Southfield, MI.