Tilford was born June 30, 1915 in Hesper Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa to Nicolai and Julia (Erickson) Thorson. He attended rural schools and then graduated from the Mabel High School in 1934. He lived and farmed south of Hesper until 1991 when he and his sister Ellen bought a home and moved into Mabel. He was a lifetime member of the Hesper Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed.
Tilford passed away Thursday, July 12, 2007 in Mabel at the age of 92.
Tilford is survived by several cousins. He was preceded in death by three sisters Gladys Dale, Nellie Olson, and Ellen Dale.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa with the Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.