Grand Sentinel         Garland Tilley

Brother Garland was born March 31, 1934, in Pineville, West Virginia to William R.,III and Lula Ellen Tilley.  Upon the death of his father in 1936 he moved with his mother, Sister Faye and Brother Riley to Fancy Gap, Virginia, atop the Blue Ridge Mountains.  He attended Brookmore Elementary School (a one room school) at Fancy Gap, Virginia through the 7th grade, then 4 years of High School at Hillsville, Va.  On March 6, 1952 he enlisted in the US Air Force, underwent Basic Training at Sampson AFB, Lake Seneca, Geneva, New York, Military Police School, Camp Gordon, Georgia, then twenty plus years around the world. 

While on leave following a two year tour of duty in Nagoya, Japan, he met Gwendola (Gwen) Estelle Tilley and they were married on September 1, 1955.  They have two daughters; Karen born Oct. 5, 1956, now a member of San Marcial #34 and Kathy born Oct. 4, 1959 now a member of Jessamine #45.

On June 5, 1965 Garland was initiated into Hillsville Lodge # 193 A.F. & A. M., Hillsville, Virginia. Through Courtsey Work he was passed to the Fellowcraft Degree in Hiram Lodge #10, Washington, D.C. and to the Master Masons Degree in Bethesda Lodge #23, Bethesda, Maryland. Then back to the mother Lodge to stand Open Lodge proficiency before departing for a tour of duty in Cigli Air Base, Izmir, Turkey. He arrived at Kirtland AFB, NM with his family July 1,1970.  He was initiated into San Marcial #34 on January 24, 1974 and served as Worthy Patron in 1980-81 with Diane Mize. He dualed with Bethlehem Lodge #56, Belen, NM in 1998. He joined Scottish Rite, Santa Fe, NM in October 1984.  He affiliated with Jessamine #45 on February 3, 1997.  He has served as Worthy Patron in Jessamine Chapter three times, with Linda Crow in 1999-2000, with Gwen in 2001-2002, and Sue Forest in 2008-2009. He served as Worthy Patron in Magdalen #9, Socorro, NM, his dual chapter, with Nadine Blythe in 2009-2010.