RONALD GALE TILLMAN

A funeral service for Ronald Gale “Ron” Tillman, 83, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Chan Bayne officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.

Ronald Tillman passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland.

Ronald was born Tuesday, December 8, 1936 the son of Robert Walt and Lenora (Monen) Tillman in Keystone, Nebraska where the family ranched.

On April 13, 1957 Ron married Jacqueline Leah Clark. Ron worked as an ironworker and resided in several states. To this union four children were born, Ronnie Ray was born in Casper, Wyoming; Rhonda Kay was born in Eugene, Oregon; Morton was born in Lander, Wyoming and Dusty was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

From 1956 through 1959 Ron served in the first class of apprenticeship in the Local Union #454. After graduation in 1959 he became a very professional ironworker, working jobs in Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, California, Colorado and Alaska. He could not tolerate idleness, when the job he was working slowed, he would move on to the next one. He served as an ironworker trainee coordinator and instructor in the early 70’s. He also served as executive board member and Sergeant at Arms with Local Union #454. He retired from ironworking in 1984.

He then started working at various jobs; delivering fertilizer for Wheatland Co-Op, truck driving for Sam Huckfeldt, and ranching/farming for the Goertz family. Ron had to always have something constructive to do; he took very few days off. He was always busy with family. He loved having children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren around him.

Coming from a ranching family in Nebraska, Ron became an expert horseman. He could train the unruliest horses with a stern gentleness. When most people gave up on a horse, he would bring those horses home and work with them until he had them trained to do what and how he wanted them to work.  Ron was a hazer for many high school bulldoggers, he hazed at least two Wyoming state champions, and many buckle winners at various rodeos. He liked to team rope with his kids. He helped gather and work cattle on many ranches in Wyoming and California.  No matter where he went, he always had good horses.  In his later years, he would enjoy a good game of marbles, (as long as he was winning); taking a drive to the old ranches he hauled cattle for, or just spending a quiet afternoon reading his Bible.

Ron is survived by his three sisters; four children, Ron (Claudia,) Rhonda (Ben) Hernandez, Mort (Cindy), and Dusty (Judy); thirteen grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by: his wife Jackie on January 23, 2019; parents; one sister; and four brothers.

A memorial to the Olivia Caldwell Foundation, 400 East First Street, Suite 203, Casper, Wyoming 82601 and please write STELLASTRONG in the memo would be appreciated by the family.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

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