My Heirloom Story: Honoring Sgt. James B. Tillman Jr. with an R. Riveter Heirloom Bag

At R. Riveter, we believe that heirlooms carry the heart of a family’s story. Our Heirloom Collection allows us to transform cherished fabrics into one-of-a-kind handbags that honor loved ones and preserve memories in a meaningful way. Today, we’re honored to share the story of Bonnie Tillman and her late husband, Sgt. James B. Tillman Jr., who served in the U.S. Army.

A Life of Service and Love

Sgt. James B. Tillman Jr. (Jan. 4, 1952 – Nov. 28, 2024) proudly served in the U.S. Army. Jim enlisted in 1969, completing basic training before being stationed in Seoul, Korea, for 13 months.

During that time, he was engaged to Bonnie. In February 1971, the two were married, and Bonnie joined him in Germany. Together, they traveled often, embracing their time abroad before Jim received an early out and the couple returned home to Fort Myers, Florida to start their family.

Service ran deep in Jim’s family, as both his father and father-in-law had also served their country. Bonnie remembers how proud Jim was to wear his uniform, and how handsome he looked in it.

After his time in the Army, Jim went on to work for the telephone company before retiring. In November 2024, Jim passed away from cancer. He and Bonnie had been married for 53 years.

Preserving His Memory with an Heirloom Bag

Over the years, Bonnie had purchased several R. Riveter bags and used them daily. When she heard about the Heirloom Collection, she knew immediately that she wanted to honor Jim’s memory through a custom piece.

Bonnie shared how meaningful the process was:

“I had several conversations with [R. Riveter's customer service representative] Justine, who was so nice and helpful. I was happy to have the ladies use Jim’s jacket to his uniform to make me an Otto bag. They did a great job using his fabrics, pockets, patches, and buttons. I just love it and it means so much to have this bag from Jim. I did come across a few more items and added them to the bag.”

The finished Otto bag, crafted from Jim’s uniform, is now a lasting tribute that Bonnie can carry with her each day—a symbol of his service, their life together, and the love they shared for more than five decades.

Why the Heirloom Collection Matters

The R. Riveter Heirloom Program was designed to preserve personal histories by transforming beloved garments into beautiful, functional handbags. Each bag tells a story—whether it’s honoring a veteran’s service, celebrating a family milestone, or remembering a loved one.

For Bonnie, the Otto bag represents much more than a handbag. It’s a piece of Jim’s legacy, carefully handcrafted by military spouses with respect for his service and the life they built together.

Carry Your Story Forward

Every heirloom tells a story worth remembering. If you’d like to honor a loved one through a handcrafted R. Riveter Heirloom Bag, visit our Heirloom Collection to learn more about how we can help preserve your memories in a meaningful way.