Byron D. Tilley of 1944 Crane Lakes Blvd. Port Orange passed away surrounded by members of his loving family on Saturday May 15 2004 at home.

Byron was born in Chelsea Massachusetts on January 26 1933. He served in the Air Force for four years and was stationed for two of those years at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach Florida. During that time he met his wife Marguerite and they shared 49 wonderful years together. He worked in Base Operations while in the Air Force which led to his profession with the Federal Aviation Administration and he attended Air Traffic Control training at the Civil Aeronautics Administration Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City OK.

He retired from the FAA as an Air Traffic Control Supervisor and worked at the Logan International Airport in Boston and the Air Traffic Control Center in Nashua New Hampshire during this 32-year career. He moved to this area from Danvers Massachusetts in 1988 and spent lots of free time playing golf his favorite pastime. He enjoyed music and was an excellent piano player with the ability to play most music by ear. He also enjoyed automobiles and travel. He was a member of Mt. Bellingham Methodist Church and the Star of Bethlehem Masonic Lodge.

His family was everything to him and survivors include his loving wife Marguerite; three daughters: Denise of Port Orange Diane of Lynnfield Massachusetts and Deborah Masse of Warwick Rhode Island; four grandchildren: Michael and Melissa Masse and Cara and Evan Ruccolo.

A celebration of life and courage will be held on Tuesday May 18 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach 336 S. Halifax Drive. A reception will follow at the Crane Lakes Clubhouse 1850 Crane Lakes Blvd. Port Orange.

Condolences to the family may be sent via the family guestbook at www.ormondfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Ormond Funeral Home.