James Lloyd Tilt

James Lloyd Tilt, 52, passed away on April 6^th, 2023, in Granbury, TX after a 3 year battle with cancer.

James was born on December 10, 1970, to Max Gregory Tilt and Loni Louise Bogle in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in Oklahoma and had many fond memories of his childhood with his sister, Shannon, and friends from Alex that he loved to reminisce about at each family gathering. After James graduated from Alex High School in 1989, he went on to enlist in the Air Force as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist for F-15’s. He served from August 2nd, 1990, to October 25^th, 1993, in support of Desert Shield/Storm and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Training Ribbon.

James went on to start a career in the transportation industry as a long-haul truck driver, establishing himself as an owner/operator traveling across 49 states and Canada for 16 years and collecting friends at every stop.

James is most loved for his sense of humor and adventurous spirit. He enjoyed reconnecting with his family and nephews on excursions such as their first skiing experience. It was so cold; his entire mustache was frozen solid, and he crashed so many times he looked like a snowman. They went on many trips off roading in the Rockies to enjoy the scenic beauty and the mud in their face. The rafting and kayaking trips were also memorable when the wind was blowing so hard it blew one of the canoes out into the middle of the lake and nobody noticed. There was also snowmobiling where more time was spent admiring the snowfall and digging each other out because James would not be contained to the trails. He enjoyed going on cruises and found himself on the beaches of Grand Cayman, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. He always looked forward to summers taking his son and nephews on the road with him to see the country and beaches coast to coast. James also had a passion for automotives and always had a project car. His favorites were his ’67 Skylark, 2 ’69 Mustangs and a ’69 Camaro, to name a few. He owned more cars than the number of years he was married: over 30 for those who are doing the math.

He met his wife, Dawn Margaret Wilson, in 1991 in Alamogordo, NM while he was stationed at Holloman AFB. They met at the restaurant where Dawn was working and quickly became inseparable going on dates to the movies, Three Rivers and Oliver Lee and marrying only 2 and half months later. From Alamogordo, they were stationed at Eglin AFB with a few of his friends from his squadron where they enjoyed the beautiful Gulf Coast. After separating from the Air Force, they returned to Bakersfield where he spent a lot of time with his family. They have special memories of holidays, Disney Land, Monterrey, and San Diego. James and Dawn spent most of their marriage in Colorado sharing a lot of laughs and looking forward to their next adventures as they raised their three children Amanda, Jessie, and Dalton and recently settled in Texas.

James is predeceased by his grandparents, stepfather, Billy, and sister, Shannon. We know he is happy in their company in heaven.

He is survived by his father, Max Tilt and wife Beth, mother, Loni McMahon, wife, Dawn Tilt; 2 daughters, Amanda Williams and husband Dustyn and Jessie Tilt; 1 son Dalton Tilt, and wife Maya. 1 granddaughter Kamilia Williams. He is also survived by 6 nephews who he loved like his own children, Dain Tilt; Brayden Tilt and partner Kassandra Chavarria and son, Ezekiel; Bryce Tilt and wife Danielle and daughter Shyann; Jace Kellison; Taylor Kellison; and Shelby Kellison.

Funeral Services will be held in his honor Tuesday, April 11^th at Wiley Funeral Home, 400 East US Hwy 377, Granbury, TX 76048. Visitation at 1:00pm and Funeral Ceremony at 2:00pm. Burial Services will be held Wednesday, April 12^th at 11:15am at DFW National Cemetery at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211. All are welcome.