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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Bias 1
Sidney Tilford, Sr. 2
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was born in 1933, the son of Bias Tilfo rd, Sr. 3
and Ernestine Brock Tilford -Harris, whose example of commitment, hard work, pride, 4
and faith shaped his life; and 5
WHEREAS, equally formative in the life of Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr., was his aunt, 6
Sallie Ree Tilford, an educator who taught during se gregation and desegregation in Scott 7
County and later in Washington, D.C. At a time when education itself was an act of 8
courage, her life demonstrated discipline, purpose, and resolve. An example that helped 9
inspire Bias's lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for others; and 10
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was born to carry forward a legacy rooted in 11
extraordinary courage. He was the great -great-great-great-grandson of Free Wyatt 12
Tilford, a man who refused to be enslaved. That same spirit defined Bias's life. He never 13
settled and he never allowed others to settle for less than they deserved; and 14
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was raised in Georgetown's historic Boston 15
community and came of age during segregation, when opportunity for Black Kentuckians 16
was constrained not by ability, but by access; and 17
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was a proud graduate of the historic Ed Davis 18
High School. Though he did not attend college, his education never ceased. He read 19
constantly, studied history deeply, and carried himself with the presence of a professor. 20
Many believe that if heaven grants honorary degrees, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. will surely 21
receive one; and 22
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. became a pioneer in audiovisual technology, 23
photography, and media at a time when the work demanded skill, trust, and constant 24
movement. He worked concurrently for IBM and WLEX -TV, performing true double 25
duty during an era when such roles required exceptional discipline; and 26
WHEREAS, with IBM, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. served as an audiovisual technician 27
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who traveled extensively across the United States photographing, documenting, and 1
producing slide and film presentations, long before email or digital transmission existed; 2
and 3
WHEREAS, at the same time, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was hired by the original 4
ownership of WLEX -TV as a cameraman. He worked alongside sports director Billy 5
Thompson and was a part of the production team for The Adolph Rupp Sunday Show, the 6
widely watched program featuring the legendary University of Kentucky basketball 7
coach. Through this work, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. helped preserve a defining era of 8
Kentucky basketball and sports history; and 9
WHEREAS, during the Adolph Rupp coaching years and the early Joe B. Hall era, 10
the Tilford family was often summoned by the University of Kentucky's athletic 11
department to host recruits. Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. and his wife Barbara Tilford, opened 12
their home to early Black basketball recruits. They offered hospitali ty, guidance, and a 13
sense of belonging. That same generosity was extended at times to football recruits as 14
well. The Tilford home became a place of trust when such spaces were rare; and 15
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. made a lasting contribution to the B lack press 16
as a photographer for the Louisville Defender, working out of its Bluegrass Lexington 17
office. His work helped preserve African American history and community voices during 18
a period when documentation itself was essential. His legacy is now perma nently 19
recorded in a recently published book chronicling the history of the Louisville Defender; 20
and 21
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was also a trusted political advisor and 22
photographer to former Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, William 23
"Bill" Kenton. He provided counsel, strategy, and visual documentation during a 24
significant period in Kentucky political history; and 25
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr.'s influence extended into arts and culture. He 26
was on the ground floor of the Cincinnat i Jazz Festival and worked as a media field 27
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coordinator. He oversaw on -site operations, organized advertising and promotional 1
efforts, and managed media logistics, helping establish the foundation of a nationally 2
recognized festival; and 3
WHEREAS, Bias Sidn ey Tilford, Sr. was a tireless advocate for economic 4
opportunities. He helped expand minority contract supplier opportunities through 5
Johnson Controls, he later served on the Minority Suppliers Advisory Committee for 6
Toyota, and he was a part of 7E Enterprises, a Black-led venture capital investment group 7
focused on supporting minority entrepreneurs and expanding access to capital; and 8
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was deeply rooted in the City of Georgetown. 9
He served on the Georgetown Planning Commiss ion, the Georgetown City Council 10
alongside his wife Barbara, and was an active member of the Georgetown Men's 11
Business Group. He was instrumental in the planning and delivery of The Pavilion in 12
Georgetown, where his legacy remains etched on its very walls; and 13
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr.'s commitment to civil rights and journalism is 14
recognized on the wall of fame at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington. Together, Bias and his 15
wife Barbara were inducted into the NAACP of Kentucky Hall of Fame; and 16
WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was a devoted member of First Baptist 17
Church of Georgetown. He raised his family in faith and lived it through example rather 18
than words. He served as a father figure to many who never had the guidance God 19
intended, offering discipline, encouragement, and love rooted in responsibility and grace; 20
and 21
WHEREAS, at family gatherings, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was the heart of the 22
room, encouraging grandchildren to recite poems, perform songs, and share routines, 23
creating traditions filled with laughter, confidence, and joy; and 24
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2026, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. traversed these earthly 25
bounds at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy defined by faith, service, storytelling, 26
mentorship, and an unwavering belief that opportunity should exist for all; and 27
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WHEREAS, Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. was a devoted husband. He is survived by his 1
wife Barbara; sons Barry and Bradley Tilford; and a host of grandchildren and great -2
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Bias Tilford, Jr.; and 3
WHEREAS, with the passing of Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr., the world has lost one of 4
its most notable Black custodians of civic and personal integrity, bar none; 5
NOW, THEREFORE, 6
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commo nwealth of 7
Kentucky: 8
Section 1. The Senate extends its sincere condolences to the family, friends, and 9
community of Bias Sidney Tilford, Sr. upon his passing. 10
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 11
memory of Bias Sydney Tilford, Sr. 12
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 13
Resolution to Senator Gerald Neal for delivery to the family. 14