The Rev. Dr. Douglas Brian Tilley
April 4, 1950 ~ April 17, 2021
Born in:
Haywood Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
The Rev. Dr. Douglas Brian Tilley, 71, of Asheville, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021 after an eleven-year battle with ALS.
A native of Haywood Co., Dr. Tilley was a son of the late Arley A. Tilley and Jean Wollard Tilley. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Anna Faith Witherow.
Dr. Tilley received a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University), a Master of Divinity from Grace Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Hammond, IN for 10 years, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Columbus, GA for 13 years, and Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church in Asheville for 11 years.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Catherine Mroczek Tilley; daughters, Rachel Witherow (Matt), Sarah Tilley, and Hannah Broecker (Chris); grandchildren, Jay, Ella, and David Witherow, and Kate, Arley, and Joselyn Broecker; sisters, Dianne Tilley Graeber (the late Jim) and Cheryl Tilley Key; and a brother, Gary Tilley (Ruth Anne).
As a teenager, Doug felt called to the ministry, and he dedicated his life to serving God and His church. He preached the Gospel nearly every Sunday for 34 years, until ALS forced him to take a medical retirement – he would even contact the preachers of churches his family visited on vacation and offer to preach for them, to give that pastor a break. Everyone who ever met Doug, including his wife and children, knew that Doug practiced what he preached. His love for his Savior was passionate. One of the first things he said after being diagnosed with ALS was that ALS was his new ministry. He used his disability to share the Gospel with everyone he could and never wavered in his faith that God still had a purpose for his life. He believed that the disease had brought him even closer to the Lord.
Doug never lost his playful sense of humor nor his love for baseball, chocolate, and the Andy Griffith Show. He had many wonderful caregivers over the years, but no one cared for him better than his wife Cathy, who loved him “through sickness and health” to the very end.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21st, at Arden Presbyterian Church in Arden, NC. Masks are required. The service will be livestreamed at www.ardenpres.org. Graveside services will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
For those wishing to pay their respects, Dr. Tilley will lie in repose from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to The ALS Association, in his memory earmarked for research, 1275 K St. NW, Ste. 250, Washington, DC 20005, or on their website established specifically for Dr. Tilley.
Services
For those who wish to pay their respects: April 21, 2021 12:30 pm - April 20, 2024 2:30 pm
Arden Presbyterian Church
2215 Hendersonville Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 684 7221
Funeral Service: April 21, 2021 3:00 pm
Arden Presbyterian Church
2215 Hendersonville Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 684 7221
Graveside Service: April 21, 2021 4:00 pm
Green Hills Cemetery
25 New Leicester Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-9831
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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You are in my prayers at this difficult time for your loss of your life time husband & love. I leave you with my favorite verses….
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
We are grateful to Doug for making loving Jesus the only way to live and die both by his words and life. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Dear Cathy and family, what a honor and privilege to have known such a Godly man as Doug Tilley! One of the most brave and courageous men I have ever know met. Such great talks we had about baseball from our younger days. Doug knew all the guys from Hazelwood and Waynesville that I remembered. Of course, Doug loved the Andy Griffin show, so did I. Our prayers go out to you Cathy and family, you all showed God’s love thru out Rev. Tilley’s journey. Praise God. He is Home now!
Doug has been such a blessing and encouragement through the years! Praying for peace and comfort for family and friends.
Pastor Doug was one of a kind. He started a youth group at our tiny neighborhood church. He married David and I. He had a connection to my parents who both died last year. There are so many together in Heaven from Pine Street. It makes my smile in the sadness.
Love you!
Cousin Pete
What a privilege it was growing up and knowing and playing with Doug. My Dad and mom playing cards with Arley and Jean while we played there on South Balsam Street. Doug you will be missed But you are HOME NOW WITH THE LORD. God bless your family.
Bobby Dudley.
Canasta was their game. But he is home now with THE LORD.
Thank you for being such a great witness. You will be missed
Pastor Doug had a knack for preaching on exactly what I needed to hear that day. As if he had prepared his sermon with me in mind. I have heard others say the same thing! He was such a blessing in my life, and so many others. I’ll see him again one day. Prayers for all of his girls and their families.
So sorry for your loss Gary WTHS has lost 70 classmates !
RIP my friend. You were an inspiration and man of God. You will be missed but you are now in the arms of our Savior.
Brotherly love to Cathy, Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, and the full Tilley family, with heartfelt prayer to our heavenly Father for lasting comfort and peace. I’ll be craving a Celebrity’s hot dog the next time I ride through Brevard Road.
Dear Cathy and family,
We just saw this notice tonight of Doug’s home-going. We, too, will miss him. Thank you for the faithful, loving companionship and care you gave him – especially through these past 11 years of struggle with his ALS. We rejoice that he is now free of all its impediments – and truly living! (Larry says, “He’s probably having his first flying lessons about now.”) Our prayers are for you left behind. May our Lord fill the void with a clear sense of His presence, comfort and sustain you – day by day – with His grace and peace. We indeed sorrow – not as those who have no hope – but with anticipation of a future, CERTAIN reunion for all of eternity.
I (Larry) have lots of special memories of weekend youth retreats, etc. with Doug on a CBC men’s quartet/ministry team. I’m so glad for each of them.
Praying for you all.
I followed Doug as Pastor of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church and was privileged to develop a friendship with him. I watched as his faith in Christ never wavered, even as his body shut down.
My family is praying for the Tilley family.