William Howard Tilley, Jr., age 86, passed away at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta on January 17, 2011 after a brief illness. A resident of Blue Ridge for the past 70 years, he was born in Old Fort, Tennessee on September 8, 1924, the youngest of eight children born to William H. Tilley, Sr. and Cora Reed Tilley. Mr. Tilley served in the United States Army and was wounded near Omaha Beach in France during the Allied Forces D-Day Invasion in 1944. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, and in January of this year was named to the French Legion of Honor by the French Embassy in Washington, DC for his meritorious service in the Normandy region of France.A gifted entrepreneur, "H" as he was known to family and friends, founded or co-founded and operated several successful businesses in Blue Ridge over the years, including The Swan Drive-in Theater (one of only three drive-in theaters still operating in the state of Georgia), the Royal Theater, the Rialto Theater, and Tilley's Appliances. He also co-owned and operated the Midway Drive-in Theater in Etowah, TN in the 1970's.Mr. Tilley was also a talented electrical and mechanical technician who could repair almost any kind of appliance or electrical motor. He was known for his kindness and generosity, and he would sometimes charge nominal fees for appliance repairs or donate the work when people were struggling financially. He was renowned for his work ethic and professionalism.A devoted family man, he was a great husband, father, and grandfather, and was very close to his siblings, in-laws and extended family. He was a soft-spoken, dignified, and somewhat shy gentleman, but he also had a wonderful dry wit. His comments and sayings are a perpetual source of joy and laughter to family and friends.Mr. Tilley was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Blanche Norwood Tilley of Blue Ridge, daughter Marlene Tilley of Blue Ridge, daughter and son-in law Margaret and Gene Middleton of Lilburn, son and daughter-in-law Bill and Kim Tilley of Blue Ridge, grandchildren Julia Middleton Slaughter of Kennesaw, Alex Middleton of Lilburn, Lindsay, Paige, Jamie and Josh Tilley of Blue Ridge, and several nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, January 20 at 2:00 p.m from the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, with Rev. Charles Howell officiating and a special tribute from grandson Alex Middleton. Music will be provided by Mrs. Imogene Stewart. Interment will follow in the Chastain Memorial Park in Blue Ridge with Full Military Honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Harry Doss, Andy Middleton, Bruce Pack, Johnny Scearce, Justin Slaughter, and Lane Welch. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Leon Cripe Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Wednesday anytime after 1:00 P.M. but the family will especially meet with friends from 6-9 p.m. and on Thursday morning prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until the family leaves in procession for the service. For those desiring memorial contributions in memory of Mr. W.H. Tilley may be made to the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge or the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements. .