Obituary for Wanda Hazel Tilger (Horn)
Wanda Horn Pickett Tilger was born on January 27, 1928 in Amarillo, Texas. She was the youngest daughter of Henry Grady Horn and Hazel Muncie Horn, both of whom passed away when Wanda was very young. Her mother’s wish was that Wanda be raised by her close friend, Lucy Azalea Bishop. Wanda grew up primarily in Hedley, Texas, a small community located 74 miles southeast of Amarillo.
After her graduation from Hedley High School, Wanda worked in Amarillo until she married Foster Durwood Pickett from Hedley, who became a successful independent cattle buyer. They had three daughters and resided in Amarillo.
After Foster was killed in a car accident in 1965, Wanda remained in Amarillo and worked until she married Billy Joe Tilger (“Bill”) in 1976 after a long courtship. When Bill retired several years later, the couple built a home on acreage near Athens, Texas and lived there for over thirty years. They later built a home in Chandler, Texas, where Wanda was living at the time of her passing.
Wanda was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, with membership for years at the church in Brownsboro and, later, the church in Chandler. She participated for several years in the Linus Project, an organization that donates blankets to hospitalized children. She crocheted the borders of the blankets; although she didn’t keep count, it’s estimated that she completed hundreds.
At the time of her passing at age 92, she lived alone and still drove to church, medical appointments, and shopping. She amazed her doctors and everyone else with her vitality and superb health. She was meticulous in the care of her house and property. Mowing her large yard on her riding mower was one of her favorite tasks.
Her family and friends cherish their many memories of her and will continue to be inspired by her faith, optimism, and love.
She was preceded in death by father, Henry Grady Horn; mother, Hazel Muncie Horn; adoptive mother, Lucy Azalea Bishop; husband, Foster Durwood Pickett; husband, Billy Joe Tilger; and sisters, Willie Myrle Horn Kuykendall and Lola Del Horn Connor.
Survivors include children, Cheryl Wester and husband Ronnie of Amarillo, Nickola Pickett of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Beth Pickett and husband John McMiller of Bastrop; grandchildren, Troy Gailey and wife Suzanne of Lorena, Trina Ard and husband Jason of Fort Worth; great grandchildren, Kelsey Kotara of Fort Worth, Meagan Willis and husband Conner of Abilene, Jared Gailey of Chandler, Adysen Ard of Fort Worth and Allie Ard of Fort Worth.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the East Texas Food Bank and the Chandler Church of Christ.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.
After her graduation from Hedley High School, Wanda worked in Amarillo until she married Foster Durwood Pickett from Hedley, who became a successful independent cattle buyer. They had three daughters and resided in Amarillo.
After Foster was killed in a car accident in 1965, Wanda remained in Amarillo and worked until she married Billy Joe Tilger (“Bill”) in 1976 after a long courtship. When Bill retired several years later, the couple built a home on acreage near Athens, Texas and lived there for over thirty years. They later built a home in Chandler, Texas, where Wanda was living at the time of her passing.
Wanda was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, with membership for years at the church in Brownsboro and, later, the church in Chandler. She participated for several years in the Linus Project, an organization that donates blankets to hospitalized children. She crocheted the borders of the blankets; although she didn’t keep count, it’s estimated that she completed hundreds.
At the time of her passing at age 92, she lived alone and still drove to church, medical appointments, and shopping. She amazed her doctors and everyone else with her vitality and superb health. She was meticulous in the care of her house and property. Mowing her large yard on her riding mower was one of her favorite tasks.
Her family and friends cherish their many memories of her and will continue to be inspired by her faith, optimism, and love.
She was preceded in death by father, Henry Grady Horn; mother, Hazel Muncie Horn; adoptive mother, Lucy Azalea Bishop; husband, Foster Durwood Pickett; husband, Billy Joe Tilger; and sisters, Willie Myrle Horn Kuykendall and Lola Del Horn Connor.
Survivors include children, Cheryl Wester and husband Ronnie of Amarillo, Nickola Pickett of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Beth Pickett and husband John McMiller of Bastrop; grandchildren, Troy Gailey and wife Suzanne of Lorena, Trina Ard and husband Jason of Fort Worth; great grandchildren, Kelsey Kotara of Fort Worth, Meagan Willis and husband Conner of Abilene, Jared Gailey of Chandler, Adysen Ard of Fort Worth and Allie Ard of Fort Worth.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the East Texas Food Bank and the Chandler Church of Christ.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.