Kenny “Ken” Wayne Tillman, known as “Dad” to his daughters, “Grandpa Kenny-Ken” to his grandsons, “Kenny” to his sisters, and simply “Tillman” to his lifelong colleagues and friends, Kenny “Ken” Wayne Tillman, age 76 of Springfield, Missouri, peacefully slipped out of this earthly situation (quite literally ghosted it) on Tuesday December 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was the king of one-liners, and if he could tell us one last joke, he would say, “I told you I was sick!”

Born on February 5, 1949, in Springfield, Kenny spent his entire life living, working, and raising his family in the Ozarks. However, his “happy place” was anywhere he could enjoy a view of the ocean with good company and a cold drink in hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Freeman “Pete” Tillman and Marjorie Jane Vaughan Tillman, and brother-in-law Jim Bruce.

He is survived by his three daughters, who adored him: Amy Baer and her husband, Ryan, and their sons Nathan, Daniel, and Joshua; Jill Tillman (next husband TBD—still!) and her beloved Pomeranian “granddogs,” Louis and Birkin; Stacy Pihana and her husband, Adam, and their sons, Maxwell and Samuel.

He is also survived by his two sisters, Penny Bruce and her sons Jason and Barry, and Patty Dorrell and her husband Steve and their children Jeremy and Ginger. Honorable mentions also go to a few exes—first wife Katie Tillman-Cecil, second wife Cindy Sherman—and a couple of ex-sons-in-law compliments of Jill, such as Jeff Basnett, whom he loved like a son-in-law.

When he was a small boy, while playing near his grandparents’ farm in Ozark, Kenny discovered a book about electronics, which in turn sparked a lifelong curiosity and passion about all things related to circuits, electricity, power, and machines.  Shortly after graduating from Parkview High School and then Southwest Missouri State University in 1973, Kenny went to work for Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI), where he remained a steadfast presence until his retirement 47 years later, the longest-serving employee in company history.  At AECI, Kenny became known not only for his mastery of complex systems but also for his steady hand during emergencies.  Thanks in part to Kenny’s devotion and can-do spirit, power for nearly two million people in rural Missouri, Oklahoma, and Iowa remained reliably online.  Kenny was honored with Associated’s Excel Distinguished Service Award in 2013 and served as the principal SCADA architect when he retired in 2020.

Kenny brought that same loyalty and steadiness to his relationships with his family and friends.  He made lifelong memories with family and friends on trips to Florida, Alabama, Colorado, Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  He was a brilliant engineer, a problem-solver, a loyal friend, and the guy who literally kept the lights on.  He loved telling corny jokes, playing the guitar, sand volleyball games with friends, snow ski trips, whitewater rafting, and countless float trips on the river.  When he was home, his favorite pastime was spending time at Wire Road Brewing Company with his friends, who became family. And for nearly 20 years, he hosted weekly Sunday family dinners, one of his proudest traditions.

Graveside services will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Hazelwood Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at Wire Road Brewing Company from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Kenny would want you to support a local brewery—bonus points if it’s Wire Road.  Apologies for the delay in getting this obituary posted, but Ken was never in a hurry about anything, so the family is sure he understands!

Care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.