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A graveside service for family and friends will be held for Rhea Andrew “Bud” Tillard, 96, at 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 29, 2020 at the Douglas Park Cemetery in Douglas, Wyoming with Pastor Echo Klaproth officiating. Interment will be in the Tillard Family plot. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 A.M. to 12 Noon.
Bud’s long journey in life ended peacefully and surrounded by his family at home on the ranch north of Douglas, Wyoming on Monday, June 22, 2020. He was born in Douglas on Saturday, July 28, 1923 and lived his entire life on the Tillard Ranch.
Bud was the son of Rhea Nelson Tillard and Angelina Gertrude “Angie” (O’Leary) Tillard. He graduated from Douglas High School and attended the University of Wyoming. Bud and Bette Jean Turner were married on June 25, 1947 in Douglas. They raised three sons on the ranch.
He is survived by his sons, Marty (Vicki) Tillard and Tim (Debbie) Tillard; daughter-in-law, Barbara Tillard; grandchildren, Tara Davidson, Ty Tillard., Casey Tillard, Kelly Miles, Troy Tillard, TK Tillard, Ryan Good, and Lacey Mitchell; 21 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Bette, on May 17, 2001; his son, Andy, on February 22, 1991; his sister, Helen Merritt Oakes, on February 19, 2020; his father, Rhea, on July 19, 1959; and his mother, Angie, on June 24, 1980 .
Bud was a member of Saint James Catholic Church, Turtles, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association. He was a founding member of the Wyoming Steer Roping Association and an avid supporter of high school rodeo.
He was well known for his horsemanship and steer roping ability and won many contests in both. His best horse was Badger who he rode and competed on for many years. When Badger died, he was buried between the ranch house and the arena so Bud could look over that grave while his kids, grandkids and great grandkids roped. As much as he loved roping, rodeo always came second to ranching. He qualified twice for the National Finals Rodeo, but skipped it once because it conflicted with shipping dates.
Next to his family, Bud’s greatest love was his ranch. He worked tirelessly toward the goal of good horses--always Quarter Horses, good cattle, and a great herd of sheep with good wool. When one of the boys complained about working sheep, his answer was always, “you like to eat don’t you? Sheep pay the bills and we keep enough cattle to stay respectable.” Bud’s love of the sheep business was evident in the many sheep wagons he built from scratch and as close as possible to the original design.
Bud will be remembered by friends and family for his integrity honesty, strong work ethic, devotion to family, and a legacy of the ranching way of life. A man of strong opinions and no-nonsense ideals, no one ever had to wonder where you stood with Bud Tillard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Converse County Cancer Fund in care of Converse County Bank, Drawer 689, Douglas, Wyoming 82633, the Autism Education Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2285, Glenrock, Wyoming 82637, or the Rocky Mountain Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 2727 Bryant Street, Suite 380, Denver, Colorado 80211.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
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