Steven James Tillman

Steven James Tillman of Elmer City, Washington passed away peacefully on October 4, 2026 in Vancouver, WA with his wife Virginia at his side.

He was born June 25, 1957 to James Otis Tillman and Dixie Benton Tillman at Coulee Dam, WA hospital. He was their second son of six children. Steve attended school within the Grand Coulee School District. He spent his 1973-1974 school year at McClintock High when his family moved to Tempe, AZ. However he returned to Lake Roosevelt High School his senior year and graduated May 30, 1975. Afterwards, he traveled back to Tempe to attend ASU, gaining not a degree but lasting friendships.

Steve worked in many restaurants throughout his life, beginning as a cook at the Wildlife Restaurant in Grand Coulee, WA. Another highlight was the Lunt Avenue Marble Club and Willy's & Guillermos across the street in Tempe AZ (Big Four Restaurants, Inc) where he not only mastered cooking skills he used throughout his life but also gained lifelong friends.

In 1981 when his father opened "Tillman's Restaurant and Cattle Company" steakhouse in Richland, WA, Steve returned to Tri Cities to manage it. Steve met his first wife Sally Dear Butler while both worked there They were married March 14,1984 and shared three children together: Jeffrey, Jennifer and Daniel.

Steve met John Harvey Chapman who changed the trajectory of his professional career from restaurants to HVAC. Mr. Chapman purchased Morrison Refrigeration and Heating in 1984 and renamed it Morrison Construction Services. Soon afterwards Mr Chapman hired Steve who became not only a service technician but rose to be Service and Training manager.

Steve met and married Virginia Nolte Rude of Billings MT on July 25, 1998 and lived in Finley, WA. Shortly afterwards Mr. Chapman sold Morrison Construction and Steve relocated to Vancouver WA working briefly for Entek Corporation. After a couple years, Steve was hired by Greenway, LLC in Helena MT to manage American Heating & Plumbing. In addition he cultivated an international clientele with the US government, which in turn led to his hiring in 2008 by Multistack, LLC based in Sparta, WI. Steve worked out of his home in Vancouver WA from 2008 up until his retirement in 2024, servicing US Embassies and government facilities in over 100 countries. Charles Kenyon, CEO of Multistack, praised him as follows:

When Steve joined Multistack, he immediately became a key

driver in our success with the Department of State. He had great knowledge

of our chillers as well as most other HVAC equipment, and he was liked by all who worked with him in the field. There was never a job too difficult for him to succeed at, and he was able to make things work many times in conditions and places that most of us would never want to visit, let alone work in to make our chillers operate. He never complained about having to spend weeks and sometimes months in the worst places in the world, keeping our chillers operating and serving the needs of the posts.

During this period Steve and Gini became avid photographers and documented many wonders of the world both for work and pleasure.

Steve loved to fish, cook, golf, take photos, play his guitar, and camp but not necessarily in that order! He collected friends like treasures wherever he went, many becoming life-long friends with whom he kept in contact.

He loved his family and friends fiercely. In addition to his wife of 29 years, Gini Tillman, he sadly leaves behind his children Jeff (Sunna) Tillman, Jenn (Josh) Hambrook and Danny

(Nichole Marshall) Tillman, as well as step-sons Chase (Tierney Edwards) Rude, Mark (Leah) Rude and John (Toni) Rude. Steve and Gini never had any children together but they DID share a Blue Heeler named Gus. Surviving him also are his grandchildren Emma, Ally, Dawson, Tyr, AnnMarie, Taytum, Drake, Noelle, Jay, Elayna, Jonah, Serena and Nathaniel (in order of birth). His mother Dixie Benton Tillman and his siblings Paul (Kathy), Julie, Chuck (Renee), Jimmer, Jacquie and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as grand-nieces and nephews surviving him. His father James Otis Tillman predeceased him in 2009.

Services will be held Friday October 16, 2026 at Strate Funeral Home 329 East Grand Coulee Ave, Grand Coulee, WA at 10am. A luncheon buffet will be served afterwards at the City Hall 505 Seaton Ave. Elmer City WA. Everyone who knew Steve and wishes to attend is welcome to celebrate his life.