GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – Restaurateur Floyd ‘Sonny’ Tillman, the founder of the Sonny’s BBQ chain, has died, according to posts from family and friends on social media.
Family members shared on Monday that Tillman died overnight in his sleep, surrounded by family. He was 96 years old.
Last night, my grandfather, Sonny Tillman, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Most people knew him for his legendary BBQ and his deep love for Florida Gator Athletics, but I was blessed to know him for so much more. He was my “Pop,” my example, and my mentor. Pop, I… pic.twitter.com/yVtfyPR4RM
— 🆃🅸🅻🅻🆈™️ (@JT_Till7) December 8, 2025
His wife, Lucille Tillman, died in 2021 at the age of 91…