Obituary for Thomas M. Stilwell Jr.
Thomas “Tommy” M. Stilwell Jr who had many nicknames: Big Tommy; General By-God Stilwell; Old Man; and T-2. He meaned away on October 31st, 2020. Born on September 12th, 1938 in Charlotte, NC where he was raised until the age of 14 when he walked to Jacksonville, FL. He married Barbara Gayle Hansford when he was 17 and she was 15 years old. Tommy joined the Navy and based in San Diego, CA. While in the Navy he flew Constellations “Connie’s” routine flights from San Diego to Elisha, Alaska, then to New Zealand. He worked for Seaboard Coastline Railroad as a train and engine mechanist. Tommy also worked as a welder on ships at Mayport in Jacksonville, FL. He was proficient in both steam and traction engines. He also worked as a machinist at Hudson Pulp and Paper.
Tommy eventually grew tired of working for the “man” and opened S & S Electric with Chas Smith, circa 1977 in East Palatka. S & S repaired and did preventative maintenance on Florida Power and Light trucks, back when you could call FPL in Palatka. During this time, Reverend Karl Flagg was a young meter reader. Tommy turned the business over to his son, Thomas “Tommy” Stilwell III in 1981 which is now, Tommyz LLC. Tommy opened National Machine & Steel Works which built and machined parts for ships and built barges and did work for Dupont Paint Company on their dredges and cutterheads. He also was a FAA certified airframe and power plant mechanic. Tommy owned and operated, Tree Top Aviation, buying and selling airplanes. He possessed a rating in single engine, twin engines, and turbo props. Endorsements in tailwheel and aerobatic. Owning and flying some of the greatest civil airplane and ever built. Tommy did aerobatics in his Christian Eagle, and Nada-Bone Decathlon. He was known best for his low-level buzzing, scaring livestock, and flying under the bridge with Wayne Liable. Tommy also was the pilot who flew the Queen Air for the St Johns River Water Management. He was the pilot for John Browning, flying politicians and secret service for President “Poppy” Bush. Tommy flew countless trips to the Bahamas for John and his treasure hunting crew. Tommy loved to fish in the surf at Crescent Beach, the rocks near blow hole, and out to the rolldown with the “No Name” crew in the big John Alden Boat.
Tommy was a Master Mason of Palatka Lodge Number 34 and served over fifty years. He had a passion for American Muscle cars and Harley Davidson Motorcycles, everything he owned went fast. He loved machines, planes, trains, and automobiles. He loved his family, East Palatka, his dogs, and a special love for his grandchildren, Thomas Stilwell IV “Skye” and Sally Anna.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Lee, a brother, Ronnie. “Big Tommy” is survived by his wife, Barbara Gayle Stilwell, son, Thomas Stilwell III and wife Anna, daughter, Kim Stilwell and Chuck, Brother Stevie, and grandchildren, Thomas Stilwell IV “Skye” and Sally Anna Stilwell-Reed and husband Trevor Reed.
Visitation will be on Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and service following at Johnson Overturf Chapel in Palatka. Palatka Masonic Lodge #34 F&AM will also conduct Masonic rites.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch or Roberts Haven Hospice.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Tommy’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Tommy eventually grew tired of working for the “man” and opened S & S Electric with Chas Smith, circa 1977 in East Palatka. S & S repaired and did preventative maintenance on Florida Power and Light trucks, back when you could call FPL in Palatka. During this time, Reverend Karl Flagg was a young meter reader. Tommy turned the business over to his son, Thomas “Tommy” Stilwell III in 1981 which is now, Tommyz LLC. Tommy opened National Machine & Steel Works which built and machined parts for ships and built barges and did work for Dupont Paint Company on their dredges and cutterheads. He also was a FAA certified airframe and power plant mechanic. Tommy owned and operated, Tree Top Aviation, buying and selling airplanes. He possessed a rating in single engine, twin engines, and turbo props. Endorsements in tailwheel and aerobatic. Owning and flying some of the greatest civil airplane and ever built. Tommy did aerobatics in his Christian Eagle, and Nada-Bone Decathlon. He was known best for his low-level buzzing, scaring livestock, and flying under the bridge with Wayne Liable. Tommy also was the pilot who flew the Queen Air for the St Johns River Water Management. He was the pilot for John Browning, flying politicians and secret service for President “Poppy” Bush. Tommy flew countless trips to the Bahamas for John and his treasure hunting crew. Tommy loved to fish in the surf at Crescent Beach, the rocks near blow hole, and out to the rolldown with the “No Name” crew in the big John Alden Boat.
Tommy was a Master Mason of Palatka Lodge Number 34 and served over fifty years. He had a passion for American Muscle cars and Harley Davidson Motorcycles, everything he owned went fast. He loved machines, planes, trains, and automobiles. He loved his family, East Palatka, his dogs, and a special love for his grandchildren, Thomas Stilwell IV “Skye” and Sally Anna.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Lee, a brother, Ronnie. “Big Tommy” is survived by his wife, Barbara Gayle Stilwell, son, Thomas Stilwell III and wife Anna, daughter, Kim Stilwell and Chuck, Brother Stevie, and grandchildren, Thomas Stilwell IV “Skye” and Sally Anna Stilwell-Reed and husband Trevor Reed.
Visitation will be on Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and service following at Johnson Overturf Chapel in Palatka. Palatka Masonic Lodge #34 F&AM will also conduct Masonic rites.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch or Roberts Haven Hospice.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Tommy’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.