Preston Dale Tilley, 80. died June 30, 2015 in Everett, Washington, with his beloved family at his side, after a short illness.

Dale was born on January 3, 1935 in Boise, Idaho to Edna and Preston Tilley.

He was the youngest of four children: sister Vera, brother Ronald and sister Muriel.

Dale went to Twin Falls schools, graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1953. He was active in sports: football, basketball, and especially baseball. He went on to play baseball for Utah State University and received his Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1957. He later earned a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Idaho State University.

In 1958 Dale married a beautiful young lady from Roy, Utah, Colleen Howes. They married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They went on to become the parents of six boys.

Dale was a teacher and coach in Ogden, Utah and in Wendell, Idaho before becoming a principal. He was the principal for Kootenai High School in Harrision, Idaho and for Valley High School in Hazelton, Idaho. Among many, many callings in his church, Dale also served for five years as Bishop of the Camano Island, Washington LDS Ward.

Dale Tilley had many interests and pursued them with gusto. He loved history, especially the history of the American West. After he retired, he would frequently visit classrooms, dressed in buckskin, to share his knowledge of the famed explorers Lewis and Clark. Inspired by students, he wrote a book, Adventures with Lewis and Clark in 2009 to share a fictional story of what it would have been like to be a child traveling along with the famous explorers.

He had a life-long love of golf and won several amateur tournaments. He had little trouble competing against all of his boys over the years who forever wanted to beat him on the golf course. He loved his family dearly.

Dale was in a position for most of his life to help and influence others. He was known by all as a kind, fair and good man.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and by his six sons, Patrick (and wife Jennifer), Chad (Jeanette), Robert (Kimberly), David (Jacqui), Jay (Alisa) and Michael (Jennifer), by twelve grandchildren and by his two sisters, Vera and Muriel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Edna and by his brother Ronald.

Dale will be laid to rest in Washington on July 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Services will be held at the Camano Island LDS Church. The viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are appreciated in lieu of flowers, www.pancan.org or 1-877-272-6226.