Tillman Wade Knox

Tillman Wade Knox, age 85, long time resident of the Cross Bridges Community passed away at NHC Hillview on August 26, 2013 following an extended illness.

Husband, father, farmer, friend, miner, civic leader, businessman, developer, golfer – these are just a few of the things that Mr. Knox will be remembered for.

Mr. Knox was born on August 6, 1928 to Robert Grady and Brooxie Blocker Knox in Maury County, Tennessee. He began his education at McDowell Elementary School in 1934 and graduated from Central High School in 1946, having earned the D. A. R Medal Award. He attended Middle Tennessee State University.

Tillman entered into the United States Army on November 1, 1950,, and was discharged honorably on October 31, 1952. While in the service he won the 7th Army Match Play Golf Championship, along with four other championships while stationed in Germany. Thus began a life-long love affair with the great game of golf. During his tenure in the military he served as the Company Mess Sgt as well as the 169th Battalion Mess Sgt.

After his discharge from the Army, he went into business with his father as a home contractor. On December 9, 1954 he married Bessie Dale Hall. They had three children together, John Jeffrey, Tillman, Jr. and Ashley Alden. His wife passed away 1989.

In 1956, Tillman went into partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Cummins Hall, who was in the mining business. Hall and Knox Mining Company, Inc. was formed at this time. Mr. Hall passed away in 1969 and Tillman purchased the remaining interest in Hall and Knox Mining Company. At this time he also purchased the farms that Mr. Hall had owned. Hall and Knox Mining Company ceased operations in 1991.

After the close of the mining operations, Tillman and his son Jeffrey purchased a tract of land from Mrs. Horace Rainey located on James Campbell Blvd in Columbia. After much demolition and site preparation they sold the lots to CVS Pharmacy, Applebee’s Restaurant, Jamison Inn, The Golden Corral, Hollywood Videos, Office Max and Lowes.

Tillman remained an avid golfer and has played the game worldwide. His yearly goal was to play 300 rounds of golf per year and he strived for excellence in the game just as he did in business. In his golf career, he recorded 8 holes in one. Tillman won a truck for the last hole in one he made. He was one of the founding fathers and designed and built the Mount Pleasant Country Club. Until his final illness he continued to play daily at Graymere Country Club; as Tillman aged he would set goals to shoot his age. He attained this first at 65 and many times after including 72 and 75. Tillman won first place in 66 golf tournaments near and far, with the farthest being in Germany. At Graymere Country Club his accomplishments in golf are so great that there is an entire trophy case located there to hold all his trophies, plaques and other awards.

Mr. Knox was also a very active community leader in Maury County. He has served on many boards including: Maury Regional Medical Center, Tennessee Golf Association, Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance, Mt. Pleasant Country Club, Graymere Country Club, Columbia State Golf Foundation and Mt. Pleasant Industrial Development Board. He was the Chairman of the Mt. Pleasant Power Board. In 1966 he was appointed as an advisory Director at First Farmers and Merchants Bank. He was elected Director of the Bank in 1967. Until his death he served as an Honorary Director. He also served on the Board of Directors for 33 ½ years. He was a member of Halls Chapel Church.

Mr. Tillman Knox is survived by his children: Jeff (Christye) Knox, Tim Knox and Alden Knox; grandchildren: Heather Knox, Kayla Knox, Hillary Knox and Jonathan Knox; brother: George (Ruth) Knox; sister-in-law: Norma Martin; several nieces and nephews and long-time employee and friend: Mary Gibson.

Funeral services for Mr. Knox will be held on Thursday, August 29, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Jack White officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be provided by the American Legions Herbert Griffin Post 19. The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, also at the funeral home.

Tony Ball, Herbert Church, Jimmy Mays, Terry Mays, Ron Pope, Jim Barrier, Tony Sciotto and Tom Patton will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include: past employees of Hall & Knox Mining Company, Inc., Directors and Honorary Directors of First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Manager, Board Members and employees of Mt. Pleasant Power System, Trustees of Maury Regional Medical Center, Board Members of Maury Regional Hospital Foundation, Members of Central High School Class of 1946, Dog Fighters players of Graymere Country Club, Birdie Game Players of Graymere Country Club; Jim Bailey, Lee Bailey, Wayne Hartsfield, Bobby Brown, Bill Walter, Clay Buttrey, Richard Brown, Dr. C. W. Ball, Dr. Kenneth Moore, Dr. Vance Hendrickson, Dr. Mike Tyler, Dan West, Gene Barr, Johnny Gibson, Johnathan Runions, Tom Hardin, Charlie Rogers, John Church, Jim Parks, Mike Greene, Pat Greene, Thomas Edwards, Joe Wade, Alan Blevins, Roy Wayne Grooms, Arnold Grooms, Charles Grooms, Tony Grooms, Danny Grooms, Don Chrichton, Tommy Massey, Russ Parkes, Billy Stanfill, Glenn Kinnard, J. B. Napier, Barry Daniels, Charles Gandee, Waymon Hickman and Ed Lawwell.

The family would like to thank the staff at NHC Hillview and the administrator, Mr. Moore for their excellent care of Mr. Knox during his final illness. Additionally, they would like to give special appreciation to Dr. Cummins Couch and his staff.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.williamsfh.com . Memorials may be made to Columbia Academy at 1101 West 7th St • Columbia, TN 38401 in memory of Tillman Knox.