In the early morning of January 11, 2026, Tom Tiller, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed peacefully in his beloved home on Gwynn’s Island surrounded by his family. That last day on the island was perfect… foggy, rainy, swans out in force on Hills Bay… Tom’s kind of day.
Born in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia, Tom was born to Thomas R. Tiller Jr. and Beatrice Keith Tiller on July 25, 1940 in Pennington Gap/Lee County. Growing up without a lot, Tom had his first job at 5 years of age, seeding cornfields. By the time he was 12 he had a part-time job at the local gas and tire station in Pennington. His industrious spirit and desire to excel would take him through many careers, many retirements, and many “Tom, please come back and help me with this one last project.” He always demanded the best from himself, and from those who worked for him—but he was also fair, supportive, even forgiving with a True North on his moral compass that never failed.
Tom married his high school sweetheart, Mary, in 1961. Tom worked several jobs while going to graduate school so she could stay home with their growing family. They would go on to have four children, Mark (deceased, widow Lou), Michael (Brooke), Karen (Mark Polivka) and Jon (Stephanie) and have been blessed with six grandchildren, Megan (John Benfield), Matthew (Kyla), Sara, Liam, Sophia, and Eli, and two great-grandchildren, William and Mary. Tom married the love of his life, Lucy, in 1994 and added two stepchildren to an expansive blended family, with Lindsay Newell (Blake Hudgins) and Jamie Newell (Corrie). Being in the company of his family gave him the greatest joy and he loved the weekends when everyone would gather and tell stories, play games, and perhaps have a beer, or a bourbon, or even two.
Growing up in the mountains, Tom developed a great love for outdoor pursuits. He loved hunting and fishing and passed that love on to his children and grandchildren. Coming to Mathews County in 1963 he also developed a lifelong love affair with the Chesapeake and its local rivers. Although he left for the mountains for a few years to raise his family, he always came back each summer to Mathews making it his permanent home in 1986. He loved spending time with lifelong friends, going out on the water and enjoying all it had to offer. He was a charter member of the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad and later came back following retirement to be a very active member and dedicated years of service giving back to the community. Mathews was his true home; he loved this community, its people and its traditions.
The family has spent hours talking about the things that Tom loved over the course of the last many weeks… Tom loved life, his family, his dogs—most recently Lola and Brandy (tolerated Lucy’s cats), football (college only of course), a nice bourbon, a good party with friends, or quiet moments enjoying Happy Hour while watching the sunset across Hills Bay. He loved a good challenge, and would spend considerable time and energy to solve any problems friends and family might bring… almost every family gathering there would be one or two “Tiller Projects” that he would oversee. We will all miss his counsel, his humor, his grit, his presence… but know that he is still with us.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 1, 2026. from 1-5 p.m. at the Tiller residence on Gwynn’s Island.
In memory of Tom, contributions may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109, or Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.