John Phillips Tiller, 89, of Carthage, TX, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 6, 2018, at his home near Carthage. He was born on Aug. 23, 1929, in Carthage, to the late Ray DeWitt and Viva Phillips Tiller. Mr. Tiller graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1947, and attended college in Pineville, LA. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer in Europe and Australia and was honorably discharged. Mr. Tiller married Nancy Ellis Fite on Sept. 30, 1950, at Pisgah United Methodist Church and she preceded him in death on May 22, 2018, after 67 years of marriage. He worked as an engineering technician for TX DOT for over 43 years until his retirement. He lived his lifetime in Panola County and was a member of Pisgah Methodist Church. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, R.D. Tiller, Mary Lynn Weir, June Alexander, Harold Tiller, and Jack Tiller.

Survivors include his sons, Ray Tiller and wife Lisa of Lake Cherokee, John Tiller and wife Leslie of Longview, and Frank Tiller and wife Stephanie of Spring Hill; grandchildren, Windy Smith and husband Harold Jr. of Round Rock, Jonathan Tiller and wife Erin of Longview, Randy Tiller and wife Kristin of Houston, Kiley Tiller of Longview, and Jace Fite Tiller of Lubbock; and great-grandchildren, Blake, Carter, and Dawson Smith, Makayla and Bella Tiller, and Kennedy Keeling.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. George Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Fite Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Jonathan Tiller, Randy Tiller, Jace Tiller, Blake Smith, Carter Smith, and Dawson Smith.

Honorary pallbearers are Kiley Tiller, Windy Smith, Makayla Tiller, Bella Tiller, and Kennedy Keeling.

Memorials may be made to Fite Cemetery, c/o Ray Tiller, NE 40 Lake Cherokee, Longview, TX 75603.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.