William "Mac" Malcolm Tilson
William Tilson Obituary
William Malcolm Tilson, affectionately known as Mac, passed away peacefully at his home in McKenney, Virginia, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Mac came to Dinwiddie County in the early 1970s, where he and his father, Carl, built the home that would remain his for the rest of his life. It was more than a house to Mac—it was home, surrounded by the woods and nature he loved, and a place where family and friends were always welcome.
Mac began his career with Dinwiddie County Public Schools, where he taught chemistry and coached wrestling at Dinwiddie High School. After several successful years in the classroom, he followed his passion for science into research, becoming a chemist at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Research Center in Blackstone, Virginia.
Science and curiosity were woven into nearly every part of Mac’s life. He was exceptionally intelligent and had an almost endless supply of completely random information. He loved investigating myths, exploring the claims and arguments he encountered online, and finding ways to prove or disprove them. Mac remained as sharp as a tack until his final day. He loved cracking jokes, performing illusions for family and friends, and sharing the strange, wonderful, and often completely useless facts that continually amazed those around him.
Outside of his work and his endless pursuit of knowledge, Mac found joy in fishing, nature, music, and his family. He had a particular love for classic rock and The Beatles, and his extensive record collection was a treasured part of his home. He loved putting on his records, singing along, and enjoying the music he had carried with him throughout his life. He also loved his beautiful wooded property, which became a favorite place for photographing the abundant wildlife that shared his home. He appreciated the quiet, beauty, and wonder of the natural world and found something worth noticing in the world around him.
Above all, Mac loved his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Rebecca “Becky” Harris Tilson; his daughters, Carly Tilson Woolfolk, her husband Kirby, and their children Cora and Connor; and Erin Tilson Wice, her husband Joe, and their children Easton and June. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Lovern, her husband David, and their sons Matthew and Seth, along with their families. Mac was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Sarah Tilson.
To Mac, family was never limited to those connected by blood. He welcomed people into his life and his home and considered many friends to be family. The people he loved knew they always had a place with him.
Mac leaves behind a legacy of curiosity, intelligence, humor, music, friendship, and love. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known him. His questions, jokes, stories, illusions, random facts, and unmistakable presence will live on in the memories of those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the wrestling team at Dinwiddie High School.
Services will be held at Mansons United Methodist Church, 17211 Mansons Church Rd., McKenney, VA 23872, at 2 pm on October 3, 2026. Arrangements are by the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd., Blackstone, VA 23824.
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