Wilma Louise Tillotson

Wilma was born December 25, 1916 to Webster Smith and Susie Lockard Smith. She was born in Jameson, Missouri and moved to the San Luis Valley in Colorado when she was two years old. The family resided in the Center and Sargent community with Monte Vista being the hometown where her father, Web was a potato farmer. Wilma graduated from Sargent High School in 1934. After graduation she moved to Pueblo, Colorado to attend the LaGalls Beauty School where she met Pauline Tillotson Hiza. She came to Fowler with Pauline to meet her family, and there she met and later married Emmett “Doc” Tillotson. They were married at the Monte Vista Methodist Church April 9, 1939 and had 51 wonderful years together before his death in 1990. Doc and Wilma had two children, Sandra Kay and Donald Duane. Sandra’s Children are Christine and Andy Benson; Don’s children are John and Lance Tillotson. Between them there are six great grandchildren McKenna, Cade, Blake, Sarah, Rebecca and Noah.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband Doc, brothers LD, Don and Web, and sisters Doris and Alleyne. She has one living sibling, Alma Jean Lott. Wilma was an active member of the United Methodist Church since 1945, and she was a member of the United Methodist Women, the UMW for many years. She was also a member of the Progress Club, and the Business and Professional Womens Club. She worked as a beautician, at Heckart’s Market, and the Fowler State Bank, retiring in 1970. In an article written about her 95th birthday Wilma stated that some of the biggest changes in her life included electricity, indoor plumbing and water. She also said she loved fish and square dancing. She was a great cook, noted for her homemade crescent rolls. She was a Sunday School teacher and a leader of both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

In her 101 years Wilma touched many lives around her. The outpouring of thoughts and prayers since her passing has been truly amazing and it represents the legacy she left behind – that of a genuinely good, Christian woman who could put family first and benefit everyone who met her at the same time.

A celebration of life service will be Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Fowler with Reverend Brian Blackburn officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fowler Cemetery

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Fowler, 302 S. Main Street, Fowler, CO, 81039, direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.