Joel Hayden Tilley left his earthly home and entered in his heavenly realm right into the arms of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, at 10:10 pm on April 25th, 2018.

He was born on August 31, 1927 in Caswell, Maine. He later moved to Groveton, N.H., where he raised his family. He traveled to Alaska to spend time with his sons, and then came to California, where he found the love of his life: Sue Bailey. They were married in the Lord on December 20, 1981, and have experienced an amazing relationship in the Jesus Christ for 36 years.

He was ordained into World Wide Ministries on August 12, 1994 and ordained into the Full Gospel Pentecostal Churches International Inc. on July 28, 1996. He was a warrior in God’s Kingdom, bringing many to a place of repentance as he let the light of Jesus Christ emanate from him. His main goal in life was to bring as many as he could into the Kingdom of God before he left this Earth.

He was a man of integrity and boldness and power. He had a deep relationship with Jesus Christ that brought him to his knees often. He would never start the day without consulting with Him as to what He wanted him to do for the day. He studied his word diligently and was compelled to teach it and preach it everywhere he went. He has been an integral part of Redwood Teen Challenge for 26 years, serving as an usher, an elder, a teacher and a preacher. He and his wife taught Discipleship Dynamics at Bethel Church and various other Assembly of God churches in the area early in their marriage, teaching others how to share their faith. There were many people along the way that encouraged him to continue in his ministry. He has been involved with Redwood Teen Challenge from the onset of their establishment in Eureka in 2005 until his disease took him out. He survived lung cancer in 1985, and again in 2005, in his other lung, followed by a heart attack 10 months later. He fought this fight valiantly in the past 33 years. He has now shed his earthly tent and is in the presence of Jesus.

Joel was preceded in death by his parents: Harrison & Elsie Tilley; brothers: Alton, James, Irvin, and George; sisters: Verna and Lorraine; his son: David, and his daughter, Maggie LoCicero. He is survived by his brother: Harrison Tilley; his son: Danny Tilley & wife Carol, 2 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; his daughter: Debbie Miles & her husband Herb; his daughter: Simka Savage & her husband Lance, 3 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren; his son: Mike Robertson & his wife Leah, 3 children, and 3 grandchildren; his son: Jerry Robertson & his wife Tommie, one grandchild and one great-grandchild; son-in-law, Drew LoCicero & his girlfriend Felicia Treece, 2 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is very grateful to Hospice of Humboldt for their wonderful encouragement and support in Joel’s last five weeks of life. His personal nurse, Virginia, was diligent in her efforts to keep him out of pain and comfortable during this trying time. To her, we will ever be grateful and appreciative of the compassion and strength she was able to transmit to Joel and to me, his wife. A special “thank you” goes to all the nurses and those who helped attend to his personal needs, especially Edgar, Glee and Matthew, and his daytime nurse that I forgot her name.

There will be a Celebration of Joel’s life on Saturday, May 5th, at Redwood Christian Center at 12 noon. Everyone is invited to come and share their testimonies on how Joel has affected their life. Any memorial contributions should go to: Redwood Teen Challenge, 2212 2nd St, Eureka, CA 95501.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joel Tilley’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.