Obituary
General Troy B. Oliver
July 4, 2026
General Troy B. Oliver, age 82, of Russellville, Ala., went to be with his Father in Heaven on July 4, 2026.
He was born Dec. 6, 1943, to his parents, Bonnie Lou and Vena Oliver. Troy was a man of faith and integrity. He served his country, his community, and his family, but most importantly, he served his Lord and Savior.
Visitation was held on Thursday, July 9, at Russellville First Baptist Church from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m., with a funeral service directly after. Pastor Chase Dowdy officiated. Burial was in Franklin Memory Gardens.
Troy B. Oliver was a graduate of Belgreen High School and a 1965 graduate of the University of North Alabama, where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, economics and military science.
Following graduation, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a Lieutenant. While there, he completed Airborne School and was awarded a Jump Badge.
He was recommended for a regular Army commission and was ordered to Vietnam with the First Infantry Division as a Rifle Platoon Leader of forty-four men.
During his service in Vietnam, he was awarded numerous medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star with “V,” Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.
Upon returning home, he joined the National Guard in 1968. Throughout his career, he served as Platoon Leader, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander of the 115th. He was later promoted to Brigadier General of the Signal Brigade, where he commanded the largest Signal Brigade in the U.S. Army, overseeing more than 4,000 troops, including over 800 active-duty soldiers.
Oliver maintained headquarters in Decatur, Alabama, and Fort Lewis, Washington. He was later promoted to Major General and assigned to the 167th Theater Support Group, serving alongside two other Brigadier Generals and commanding more than 4,000 soldiers.
In 2000, he retired after more than 34 years of military service. In addition to his military accomplishments, Mr. Oliver built a distinguished business career. Following Vietnam, he worked for Glen H. Strickland, CPA, for four years.
He later joined Tidwell Industries as an internal auditor and rose through the ranks to treasurer, vice president of finance, member of the board of directors, and, ultimately, president.
Tidwell Industries operated 13 plants in the United States and two abroad in Kuwait and South Africa, employing more than 4,000 people.
Oliver later owned Crimson Industries, Crimson Carriers, and Southern Décor, employing more than 1,500 people.
From 2008 to 2012, he served as mayor of Russellville, winning 65% of the votes cast. During his tenure, he completed the downtown streetscape project using a previously awarded grant.
The $800,000 renovation included new lighting and lamp posts, updated traffic signals and street signs, underground power lines, new paving, Christmas lighting and landscaping.
He also helped complete the new fire station and city hall and worked with Dr. Tim Guinn to establish the ROTC program at Russellville High School, which enrolled more than 150 students. He played an integral role in expanding career technical education, allowing students to earn free dual-enrollment college credits.
After retirement, Mr. Oliver devoted his time to helping fellow Vietnam veterans secure disability benefits earned through their service. Through his efforts, veterans received more than $200,000 per year in benefits.
In 2014, he was asked by the CEO of Franklin Homes to consult and oversee operations of mobile home plants that had recently closed.
Oliver helped reopen the plants and facilitated their sale to Clayton Homes, assisting in financing through the cooperation of CB&S Bank and Bank Independent.
That successful sale, alongside the work of dedicated community leaders, resulted in jobs for more than 1,500 employees and over $100 million in revenue for the City of Russellville.
He also served as a Gideon and was the former President of the East Franklin County Gideons. During his leadership, the organization set records with 44 church presentations and achieved the highest donation totals in the club’s history.
Oliver spent his final week working on his cattle farm. He was a member of the Cattlemen’s Association, the American Legion, the Association of Disabled Veterans, and was a 57-year member of Russellville First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, whom he loved and cherished deeply, Brenda Thornton Oliver; sons, Jonathan Troy Oliver and Mason Cain Oliver; daughters, Sharon Oliver and Laura Beth Oliver Agee (Patrick); grandchildren, Matthew O’Neal, Cassidy O’Neal, Ava Oliver, Audrey Oliver, Estella Agee and Augusta Agee; great-grandson, Brayden O’Neal; and daughter-in-law, Jamie Mitchell Oliver; brother, Don Oliver (Beverly); sister, Patricia James (Thomas); and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bonnie Fowler Oliver; his father, Vena Oliver; and his grandson, Joseph Mitchell Oliver.
At the direction of the governor’s office, flags were flown at half-staff on July 9, the day of his service, in Russellville, in solemn recognition of General Oliver’s distinguished service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Russellville First Baptist Church.
