Joe Ray Tilley, Arlington, TX, was born January 10, 1933, at Randlett, Oklahoma to Homer and Oklie Tilley.

He died peacefully March 3, 2010, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease with his family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Dale of Knoxville, TN, and one daughter, Linda Katherine of Arlington, TX.

He is survived by his wife Carol of Arlington, their daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Dale Jones of Coppell, TX. two grandsons, Darby and Max McNabb, of Coppell, TX., sister-in-law June Tilley, nephew Jeff Tilley of Murfreesboro, TN., niece, Helen Tilley of Knoxville, TN., and aunt Nell Tilley of Tulsa.

Joe grew up in Frederick, Oklahoma. He graduated from Frederick High School in 1950. He was a trombonist in high school band, a member of the boys’ quartet, soloist in school programs and church events. He lettered in high school football for four years. His summer jobs included driving a combine in the wheat harvest as it come through Oklahoma and moved north to Nebraska. He also worked for the Soil Conservation Service between college semesters building farm ponds in Tillman County.

He worked in the aircraft and aerospace industry for Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington -- McDonald-Douglas in Los Angeles, California, and Brantley Helicopter in his hometown of Frederick.

After leaving Brantley, he opened a consulting office in Frederick and served as an aeronautical consultant for several aircraft companies in the mid and southwest.

When he closed his consulting business, he came to Bell Helicopter in Hurst, Texas, and worked for several years, eventually being names Chief of Preliminary Design.

When he accepted the job with Bell, he moved with his family to Arlington, TX where he resided until his death.

Joe was cremated at Moore Funeral Home and a “gathering of friends” will be held Saturday, March 20, at “It’s All Good” in Arlington at Lakewood Center, 2304 West Park Row from 9:30 to 11:30.