Charles B. "Charley" Tillson, 87, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born June 26, 1919, to George and Elizabeth (Peugh) Tillson at Toston. The family moved to the Flathead Valley between Creston and Bigfork in 1923. He attended Echo School and graduated from Bigfork High School in 1937. He was active in sports - football, basketball, boxing and track. He spent many happy hours with his father, brother and good friends hiking, fishing, picking huckleberries and hunting in the Swan Range. He cut Christmas trees and worked on farms, and then went to California Institute of Technology and learned aircraft construction and went to work at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica.

On March 24, 1942, he and Alice Lorraine Hendrickson were united in marriage at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. They lived in California until 1943, and returned to Kalispell where he joined the Navy Dec. 17, 1943. He was assigned to a small aircraft carrier, the Steamer Bay, for 20 months of sea duty with the Third Fleet, participating in many of the battles of the Pacific. He was honorably discharged Dec. 18, 1945. Alice remained in Kalispell with her parents. Their daughter Sandra was born while he was overseas.

He then began a carpentry apprenticeship, becoming a journeyman carpenter. He became a Kalispell city firefighter in November 1949. He retired as chief and then began 12 summers as fire protection inspector in Glacier National Park. He helped organize the Kalispell Retired Firefighters and Montana State Retired Firefighters, serving as an officer for many years.

He was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, trustee, Sunday school teacher, Luther League sponsor and counselor to a national convention of the Luther League in Miami Beach, Fla., in 1961.

He was a handyman around the church on many projects. He built and installed all the Bible racks on the church pews. He and Marion Cousell stripped and refinished the baptismal font.

Gardening, woodworking and traveling were special joys. He and Alice traveled to 45 states and 10 foreign countries. He was skilled at making inlaid bowls, stands, etc. and built beautiful furniture.

His infectious smile endeared him to everyone - especially children. The family is eternally grateful to the staff and residents of Immanuel Lutheran Home for the tender loving care and friendship shown Charley.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother-in-law, "Red"; sister-in-law, Grace Hendrickson; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Tillson, of Kalispell; one daughter, Sandra Inouye and husband, Roger, of Lake Tapps, Wash.; one granddaughter, Lara Risenhoover and children, Andy and Sarah, of Bigfork; one grandson, Tom Hendricksen, of Seattle; one brother, Alvin Tillson, of Eureka; special nephews, John (Hendrix) Hendrickson of New York City, and Denis Hendrickson and niece, Denise, and their family of Spokane; one stepdaughter, Shirley Oziminski and husband, Phil, and family of Reno, Nev.; and many cousins.

Memorial services for Charles B. Tillson will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Burial will be private by the family. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at Johnson Mortuary.

The family suggests that memorials be given to the Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Avenue, Kalispell, MT 59901; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main, Kalispell, MT 59901 or Home Options, 175 Commons Loop Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Charley's family.