William Devillo Tillotson

William Devillo Tillotson, 94, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at his home in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. He was born on Dec. 29, 1931, in Mt. Vernon, son of Lorenzo Frank Tillotson and Lorene (Colley) Tillotson.

William was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School, after high school he attended Missouri State University in Springfield. In the middle of his education, he went into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After serving in the Air Force, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1958. When at the University he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and later received an outstanding alumni award in 1987. After college he served as an Aviation Insurance Broker. 

In April of 1960, he married Barbara Joan Epperson from Aurora. William and Barbara were blessed with sixty-six years of marriage and two children. 

He is survived by his wife Barbara and their two children, Robert (Tricia) and Lori. He is also survived by his four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Aurora, Missouri. 

Memorial gifts can be made to MSU Foundation, 300 S. Jefferson, Suite 505, Springfield, Missouri, 65806 in memory of William D. Tillotson. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.