George Tilghman

George Tilghman, who was known as Fletcher and had owned his own upholstery business, Fletcher’s Interiors, in East Hampton, died on Aug. 4 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., after a lengthy illness. He was 75 and had experienced complications from diabetes, according to his wife, Judy Tilghman.

Mr. Tilghman was proud of his career in the Air Force as an airman first class, serving from 1958 to 1966, including four years in England. He had worked for Grumman on Long Island and in Salisbury, and painted houses with his dear friend A.J. White for many years.

He was born on July 3, 1939, at Southampton Hospital, the only child of George Tilghman and the former Cathel Justice. He grew up in East Hampton Village, living for a time on Gingerbread Lane before moving to Maidstone Avenue. He graduated from East Hampton High School in 1958, and then joined the Air Force.

After he married the former Judy Tillbrooke of Sag Harbor on Oct. 12, 1968, the couple moved to Whooping Hollow Road in East Hampton. Except for his time in the Air Force, he lived here for 44 years, until 1983, when he and his wife moved to Pocomoke City, Md., to live on his father’s farm. They moved to Stockton, Md., in 1999.

Having no children of his own, he adored his many nieces and nephews and his neighbors’ children, his wife said. He also doted on his dogs, Patches and Sugar.

“He loved his wife, his church, his family, his friends, and his home. He enjoyed fishing, gold panning, metal detecting, traveling, and playing Scrabble with his wife,” a statement prepared by the Holloway Funeral Home in Poco?moke City said.

A funeral was held at Spence Baptist Church in Snow Hill, Md., on Aug. 9. Mr. Tilghman was buried with military honors at Beth Eden Tilghman Hill Cemetery next to his father, who had donated land to the cemetery.

Donations have been suggested to Spence Baptist Church, 7603 Spence Church Road, Snow Hill, Md. 21863.