Walter S. “Gus” Tillson Sr.

SIDNEY – Walter S. “Gus” Tillson Sr., 83, passed away at his home in Sidney on June 26, 2024, with his loving family at his side after a short battle with liver cancer. He was born in Augusta on Nov. 2, 1940, to the late Arthur and Leona (Perry) Tillson.

Walter married Effie (Trask) Tillson on Aug. 30, 1958. They shared 56 wonderful years together before her passing in September of 2014.

Gus was a hard worker and he had various jobs throughout his life. He worked for Augusta Sewer District and Maine Wide, but was mostly self employed pouring concrete slabs and building garages. He was often referred to as the “concrete man”. Gus also helped raise numerous foster children becoming a father figure for them.

In 1968 Gus bought what he called “the farm” in Sidney. He raised his family here and this has become the home of four generations of Tillson’s.

In his free time, Gus loved spending time with family and friends. He was his happiest while sitting around a campfire with anyone that wanted to join him. The campfire was a daily occurrence and he looked forward to it every evening. Gus also enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on the woodlot, gardening, making maple syrup, telling stories about the “old” days and dancing.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Roxanne, son, Arthur; and two grandchildren, Amanda and Eric. He was also predeceased by his brothers Charlie Sr., Arthur, and Sheldon, brother-in-law, Clyde Trask, sister-in-law, Naomi Buzzel; and his daughter-in-law, Coline Tillson.

He is survived by his children, Walter Jr. of Windsor, Tom and wife, Tammy, of Sidney, Jack, of Sidney, and Tim and wife Beth, of Connecticut; his grandchildren Derek Tillson and wife Sierra of Sidney, Dylan Tillson and fiance Kaitlyn Longley of Oakland, and Caleb Truman of Sidney; his sister, Shirley Cooper of Tennessee, and his brother-in-law, George Trask and wife Gail of Gardiner; as well as his great-granddaughters, Lillian and Abigail Tillson. These girls were very important to Gus and were part of his daily life. He referred to them as Pop’s ‘little girls’. They kept him smiling right to the end. Gus is also survived by a large extended family including nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In addition to family, Gus was survived by an overwhelming number of friends in the disc golf community. If Gus was sitting at the campfire as the players finished their game they would always stop and have a conversation with him. They often referred to him as “Pop, the man, the myth, the legend”.

The family would like to thank all of the hospice nurses for taking such good care of Gus. We would also like to thank Sidney Fire and Rescue for their quick response and Richard Jandreau for all of his help.

Gus’s visitation will be held on Saturday, July 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Gus has requested that instead of a funeral he would like us to have “one hell of a party”. This party will be held immediately after visitation at 214 Philbrick Rd. in Sidney.

Arrangements are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to the

Pine Tree Camp,

114 Pine Tree Camp Rd.,

Rome, ME 04963