Funeral Services for William Batterton Tilley II, Age 82 of Mountain Grove, Missouri will be held on Friday, November 6th, 2026 at The Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove, Missouri, beginning at 2:00 PM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 1:00 PM. Burial will take place in The Hillcrest Cemetery, Mountain Grove, Missouri.
William Batterton Tilley II, age 82, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
William proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1968. Following his military service, he pursued a career as a registered pharmacist, dedicating more than 30 years to his profession before retiring. A highly intelligent and hardworking man, William took great pride in his work and the life he built.
William was known for his strong work ethic, remarkable intelligence, and generosity that often knew no bounds. He was generous to a fault, always willing to give to others. As he grew older, he developed a bit of that familiar “old-man stubbornness,” a quality those closest to him came to know as another part of his unique personality.
If there was one thing William truly loved outside of his family, it was golf. An avid golfer through and through, he lived and breathed the game. Whether he was playing a round, watching golf on television, or talking about the sport, golf was never far from his mind. His favorite course was Green Hills Country Club in Willard, Missouri, and he also enjoyed playing at Hidden Valley near Nixa, Missouri. For William, there was hardly such a thing as too much golf.
Beyond the golf course, William enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting with his son, Brian, and spending time fishing. He also had a keen interest in military history, especially World War II. He loved reading books about the war and watching World War II movies. He was also a fan of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, finding enjoyment in the adventure and excitement of those films.
Above all, William loved his family. He cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren, and nothing brought him greater happiness than having everyone together in one place. Those family gatherings were especially meaningful to him, providing opportunities to share stories, enjoy one another’s company, and create memories that will remain with his loved ones for years to come.
William is survived by his four sons, William Batterton Tilley III and his wife, Donna; Brian Raymond Tilley and his wife, Lisa; Bradford Shawn Tilley and his wife, Vicky; and Christopher Matthew Tilley and his spouse, Molly Robb.
He also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren: Samantha Lawson, Amber Dechert, William Batterton Tilley IV, Ashlynn Tilley, and Lillian Rose Tilley; along with seven great-grandchildren: Rebbecca, Letty Jo, Ellie Mae, Jolynn, Leon James, Diana, and Montana.
William is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Peterson; his nephew, Bob Peterson and his wife, Valerie, and their sons, Nathan and Jacob; his niece, Laura Peterson and her spouse, Rodger Abbott; and his cousin, Michael Hays.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Batterton Tilley and Faye Lillian Tilley.
Though he will be deeply missed, William’s memory will live on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives he touched.
