Edward P. Tillman

Edward (Big Ed/Pop Pop) Phillip Tillman passed peacefully on March 28, 2025. Born in Jersey City, NJ in 1933, he was the son of the late Cecil and Evelyn (Little) Tillman.

Beloved husband to Dottie, whom he lost a little over a year ago, father to Cheri, Jackie, Joyce and Janice, father-in-law to Eric and Frank, PopPop to Niko, Jovina, and Anjolena, grandfather to Gasper, Courtney, Caitlin and Daniel, great-grandfather to four. He was the oldest of nine siblings, Judy, Nancy, Linda, Holly, and was preceded in death by John (Pee Wee), Barbara, Harold and Pam.

Ed graduated from Freehold High School and joined the U.S. Navy at 17 years old when the Korean War was in progress. After 13 weeks of training in Bainbridge MD and a 2-week furlough, he received his orders to report to Little Creek Virginia where he joined his group, the Tactical Air Control Squadron #4. His primary duty was to work on the amphibious force flagship, Mount Olympus, a floating command post in Norfolk, VA with advanced communications equipment and extensive combat information spaces used during large-scale operations. He was then sent back to Bainbridge for 6 months of training to become a radioman. Afterwards, he returned to the Mount Olympus to work in a special war room where they could control all air support for troops on the beach and further inland. All coordinates were given to them from frogman, Navy beachmasters, etc.

While serving in that group for 4 years, two specific orders stood out:

1. Sailing to the cost of Cuba, stationed to support troops at Gitmo (Guantanamo) Bay, where Castro's troops turned off all utilities. This issue was worked out peacefully and utilities were turned back on.

2. Secret mission to get information form Ocala Forest (Navy's bombing range) on nuclear bombs. They needed to gather information on how much time they would have to clear an area if a bomb was dropped.

The end of Ed's 4-year tour of duty was spent doing his taught skills (upgrading them when necessary) on the Mount Olympus.

He was very proud of his time in the Navy and always supports and continues to be proud of our military forces and has also led to a special bond with his grandson Niko, currently serving in the U.S. Army.

After the Navy, he returned to Freehold, then went to work at PSE&G in Newark, NJ where he met the love of his life, Dottie. They soon married, had two wonderful daughters and started a maintenance business which they both operated for 50 years.

Ed loved cutting his grass (in a VERY specific pattern), fixing/renovating his home (with EXTREME urgency), Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, spending time with friends and family, but most of all, his grandchildren... they were the light of his life.

Funeral Services for Ed will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, 14390 Kutztown Road, Fleetwood, PA with Rev. Gary L. Walbert, officiating. A viewing will be held Sunday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the funeral home.

Entombment with Miltiary Honors conducted by the Ray A. Master, Post 217, American Legion Honor Guard, Topton, will be held privately by Ed's family at Berks County Memorial Gardens, Fleetwood, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's memory to the Ray A. Master Post 217, American Legion, 133 Centre Ave, Topton, PA 19562.

Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for our dear friend Ed and his family. Messages of comfort and sympathy can be offered at www.WalbertFuneralHome.com.