Wendell "Barney" Tillotson

FRANKLIN - Wendell E. Barney Tillotson, age 91, passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 at his home in the Franklin Homestead.

He was born June 12, 1923 in Sheldon the son of the late, Harry & Sylvia (Taylor) Tillotson.

Barney graduated from Brigham Academy and entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 serving during WWII receiving his honorable discharge March 16, 1946. Barney worked as a mechanic and car salesman for Frank Wood (Champlain Chevy) and Paquin Motors and owned and operated Mid-Town Mobil in Enosburg Falls before becoming an Insurance Agent for Prudential Insurance. He had been a member of the Prudential Millionaires Club retiring from Prudential on June 1, 1982.

Barney was one of the founding members of the Enosburg Falls Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, snowmobiling and in his younger years Dirt Track Racing. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 42 of Enosburg Falls, a former member of the Enosburg Falls Lions Club and attended the Franklin United Church.

He is survived by his children, Janet Machia and her husband Bernard of Bakersfield, Lee Tillotson and his wife Susan of Bakersfield, and Kathy Bokori and her husband Tom of Scottsville, KY; 5 grandchildren, Leif Tillotson and his son Andrew, Courtney Tillotson his wife Sara and their children, Jarrett & Avery, Jeremy Tillotson and his daughter, Ruby, Shaun Machia his friend Emily Trombley and his children, Marisa & Rowen, and Jackie Daviau her husband Steve and their son Isaac; his sisters, Marjorie Rich of West Lebanon, NH, and Freida Perry and her husband Arnold of Milton; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Barney was predeceased by his wife, Martha (Phelps) Tillotson on July 18, 2008. Barney & Martha were married August 25, 1944. He was also predeceased by his daughter, Claudia Tillotson; and his granddaughter, Megan Fitzgerald.

A memorial service was held Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Franklin United Church, 5414 Main Street, Franklin, with Rev. Jason McConnell officiating. Interment followed in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bakersfield.

Visiting hours were held Saturday from 6-8 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.

For those who wish, contributions in Barneys memory may be made to the Franklin United Church, P.O. Box 84, Franklin, VT 05457