Tilbert H. Neal, 66, of Richland, died December 28, 2004, at Kadlec Medical Center.  He was born to Willie and Leonard Neal on January 27, 1938, in Rose, Oklahoma.  The family moved to Benton City in 1948 and to Richland one year later.

Tilbert played baseball and basketball for Richland High School and for Columbia Basin Jr. College where he made many lifelong friendships.  He played semi-pro and pro baseball as a pitcher for the Bellingham Bells, the Drain Blacksocks, the Calgary Dodgers and the Tri-City Braves.  He pitched several no hit, no run games for these teams.  He was signed to play for the Kansas City Royals.  He had a lifetime interest in sports of all types.

He owned and operated Wilkes In and Out in Pasco and then the Frontier Tavern in Richland before retiring.  He served in the Army National Guard.

He loved hunting, fishing and trips into the Blue Mountains on horseback,  reading about the Old West and cooking.  He took a special interest and pride in his grandnephews and grandnieces.

Tilbert is survived by his mother, Willie H. Neal; brother, William Neal; sister-in-law, Esther Neal; nephew, Tyler Angela Neal; niece, Kim Hitchcock; grandnieces, Riley and Taylor Neal; and grandnephews, Jordan and Josh Sappenfield.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Neal.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2005, at Einan’s Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be at Einan’s from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.