Dr. Tony W. Fillman of Sherman, 81 year-old retired teacher and school administrator, died Sunday, January 13, 2008 at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at Fairview Baptist Church. Dr. Patrick Mead, pastor of the church, and Rev. Charles Worley of Arlington, Texas will officiate and the burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. An honorguard from the Navy Funeral Honors Burial Detail will conduct military graveside honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.

Dr. Fillman was born September 24, 1926 in Chandler, Oklahoma to parents D. I. and Florence Fillman. He served in the U.S. Navy from October 1943 until his honorable discharge in April 1946 as a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class. During that time he served in hospitals in South Hampton, England and aboard various ships, including the USS Clearfield. He received the American Campaign Medal, Victory Medal, European -African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Phillipines Liberation Campaign Medal. He married Joane Newcomb on August 15, 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Davis, Oklahoma

Dr. Fillman earned his bachelor degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1950, his master's degree from University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. in 1953 and his doctorate from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas in 1969. He began his teaching career in Excelsion, Okla. as a math/science teacher and coach. In 1954 he moved to Sherman as a math/physics teacher at Sherman High School. He became principal of Washington Elementary school and then Piner Middle School. In 1969 he moved to Alice, Texas to open a new high school as principal. In 1970 he came back to Sherman as the high school principal whlie opening the new building.

He served as principal at Sherman High School for twelve years, which is the longest tenure of any SHS prinicpal. In 1982 he became the business administrator for Sherman ISD, and retired in 1989. In his retirement years he and his wife, Joane, traveled extensively and he dedicated hs time to volunteering. He was a deacon at Fairview Baptist Church as well as serving as church treasurer, chairman of deacons, and chairman of the finance committee. He also served on numerous committees such as building and ministerial. He was involved in all buillding projects at the church, yet, still found time to minister to various families to help with their personal building needs. He was a faithful blood donor for the local Red Cross.

He is survived by his wife, Joane Fillman of Sherman; three children, Toni Sue Worley and husband Charles Worley of Arlington, Texas, Dr. David Allen Fillman and wife Carrie of Houston and Patricia Ruth Hatcher and husband Jon Paul Hatcher of Sunset, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Carla Sue Worley, Christine Elaine Jones and husband Scoitt, Clinton Lee Worley, all of Arlington, Charles Wayne Worley of Brighton, Colorado, Joe David Fillman and Jacob Daniel Fillman, both of Houston, Rebecca Ann Hatcher and Anthony Wayne Hatcher, both of Sunset, Tx. He is also survived by a sister, Kathryn Lightfoot of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers J. C. Fillman and Bill Fillman, and a sister, Barbara Sue Davis.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Fillman's grandsons, Charlie Worley, Joe Fillman, Clint Worley, Jacob Fillman, Anthony Hatcher and Scott Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Fairview Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday evening at Waldo Funeral Home.

The online guest register can be signed at www.waldofuneralhome.com.