Richard "Breadman" Lee Tillis, Sr. age 86, of Bolivar, MO, entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on the evening of November 29, 2017 after a seven year battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Richard was born in Tampa, FL. on July 13, 1931 to Lonnie Lee Tillis and Burma (Rogers) Tillis.

Richard graduated from high school in Pahokee, FL.in 1951. There he played football and ran track for the Blue Devils high school team. He loved Florida and followed the Florida State Football Team with enthusiasm.

In 1951 Richard married Johanna McKinstry. To this union were born four children. Dawn 'Tootsie' Tillis, Chrystal Lee (Tillis) Martin, Karen Tillis and Richard Lee Tillis, Jr.

In his early years, Richard went to work for his dad at the Home Town Bakery in Pahokee where he drove a daily bread truck making deliveries and quickly earned the nickname 'Breadman'. When the local bakery closed, he was employed at Merita bakery and worked 20 years making deliveries in the Everglades and Orlando.

In the early 1970's Richard began touring and working with his brother Melvin Tillis and the Statesider Band. For many years he sold merchandise and souvenirs at the events and later in the Tillis Theater in Branson, MO until his retirement in 2002. He and his brother saw the world through the windshield of a tour bus and had many wonderful years of memories together.

Richard is survived by his wife of 22 years, Louise (Cruse) Tillis; Two children: his daughter, Karen Tillis; his son Richard Tillis Jr, both of Antioch, TN. Three stepsons: Bruce Harp, and his wife Becky, of Walnut Grove, MO; Rick Harp and his wife Edith, of Wheatland, MO and Dennis Harp of Pleasant Hope, MO. one Sister: Linda Crosby of Chapsmanboro, TN. He has 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and a host of much loved nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Burma Tillis; one brother, Melvin Tillis; one sister, Imogene Burdeshaw;, two daughters, Dawn Tillis and Chrystal (Tillis) Martin, and a granddaughter, Christon Martin.

Visitation will be held at Greenlawn North in Springfield, MO on Monday, December 4 th, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with services immediately following at 11:00 a.m.

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