Merlin "Bub" Tillett

Merlin Clay ' Bub' Tillett Merlin Clay Tillett, 83, of Salina, passed away Saturday, March 19th, 2011 at Salina Regional Health Center. Born June 14, 1927 in Salina, Kansas to parents Burton E. Tillett and Daveda D. Milleson Tillett. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Nancy Frances Elliott Tillett and siblings Wilfred 'Bud', Bette, Leo 'Buzz', and Rosemary. Merlin grew up in the Salina and Gypsum areas as a child. He began delivering the Kansas City Star newspaper as a teen and was employed at UPRR prior to joining the United States Navy in 1944 at the age of 17. He served during WWII aboard the USS Polana and USS Philippine Sea as a Boatswain's Mate. He returned to Salina and the UPRR upon his discharge, also working locally at Van's Conoco and the Cozy Inn. In 1950, Merlin and Wanda Beth Werries of Culver, Kansas married. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary July 30, 2010. Wanda preceded Merlin in death March 8, 2011. Merlin joined the Salina Police Department as a patrolman July 1, 1951, leaving the position of Captain-Traffic Division in 1965. He accepted the Chief of Police position in Colby, Kansas, serving until 1972. Returning to Salina, he was a long-haul driver for Coca Cola Bottling Company, Blue Beacon International and Smoky Hill Construction until his retirement at age 75. Merlin was a past member of the Salina Moose Lodge, Colby Jaycees, ISIS Shrine Temple, Kansas Peace Officers Association, Kansas Sheriff's Association and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, a passion for nice-looking cars and long road trips until his health began to fail. He and his wife Wanda moved to the Pinnacle Park Nursing Center in 2010. He is survived by children: Jackie Tillett-McBride (husband Mike), Ricki Tillett (wife Peggy), Rodney Tillett, and Rory Tillett (wife Michele), all of Salina, Kansas, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. The family plans a private inurnment of Merlin and Wanda at Franklin Cemetery, Tescott, Kansas. A sharing of memories with the family and friends will be at 11:30 am, Friday, March 25, 2011 at VFW Post #1432, Salina. Memorials may be made to the Men's Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1432, 1108 W. Crawford, Salina, Kansas.