My Grandpa, Jim Tilley, owned the first "Tilley's Union" and all of his son's followed in his footsteps at some point during their lives. My Grandpa owned his gas station in Northridge, CA. My uncle Scott had a station for a while in Simi Valley. My dad's gas station, in Canyon Country, was up and running back in the 70's and early 80's. My uncle Rhys and uncle Bob are the only two who are keeping Tilley's Union going strong today, in Burbank CA. I have very exciting memories at each of the four gas stations. I can remember each place vividly and I always loved hanging out at any of them. My dad, of course, would put me to work at his station and that was always fun. Not to mention, they filmed the show "Chips" right up the street from my dad's station! I came across these newspaper articles while digging through some boxes and I was pretty stoked that I had found them.
Here is a letter from a customer printed in the "Spirit of 76 News" and here is what it says:We are writing this letter to you in regards to your dealer Ronald Tilley, owner of the Union Station at 28529 San Canyon Road, Canyon Country, California, 91351. We wish to commend him as being a fine gentleman and an excellent representative of Union Oil.
We have been doing business with Ron for several years now and have found him to be honest and above reproach. Honesty and fair dealing seem to be a rarity now a days, but these virtues are no unknown to Ron Tilley.
We have been doing business with Ron for several years now and have found him to be honest and above reproach. Honesty and fair dealing seem to be a rarity now a days, but these virtues are no unknown to Ron Tilley.
He does excellent repair work and never pressures us to purchase un-needed items. If he feels a job doesn't need doing, he will tell you. If he can't do a particular job, he recommends a reliable person who can. He warns of any safety hazards that need to be taken care of and makes a note of things to watch out for that will need to be done in the near future. It is certainly a pleasure to do business here!
In closing, we'd like to say that this letter is unsolicited, and Mr. Tilley has no knowledge of it's being written. If Union Oil gives letters of commendation or certificates of merit to it's dealers, then certainly Ron deserves one. He is a person in whom you can trust, and truly exemplifies the "Spirit of 76".
In closing, we'd like to say that this letter is unsolicited, and Mr. Tilley has no knowledge of it's being written. If Union Oil gives letters of commendation or certificates of merit to it's dealers, then certainly Ron deserves one. He is a person in whom you can trust, and truly exemplifies the "Spirit of 76".
Gale & Larry Patterson
Canyon Country, California
The caption for this article reads, "Before the ballgame began, All-Star Dodger Steve Garvey posed in dugout with (l-r): John Hurwitz, son of Dealer Irv Hurwitz; and Dealers Bob Tilley, Rhys Tilley and Jong Park."
The caption for this article says, "Union Oil dealers were saluted on stadium message board." & The message board in the picture reads, "Today is annual union 76 - Dodger Day. We welcome 4200 Union Oil Dealers here. ***Honorary First Ball Group*** Pitcher - Ron Richey, Batter - Irv Hurwitz, Catcher - Ron Tilley, Umpire - Kasem Hathaidharm
Here is the Fictitious Business Name Statement from when my dad opened his 76 station