Mike Till Dead at 50

Noted Lexington resident Mike Till died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 50.

The owner of several Midlands Sub Station II eateries and a catering business, as well as co-owner of ProServe Business Solutions, Till is perhaps best known as a past board director of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce who served as board chairman in 2005-2006.

Among his contributions to the community, Till conceived and was the brains behind the town's popular Taste of Lexington event held in Virginia Hylton Park.

Lexington Mayor and chamber president and CEO Randy Halfacre said Thursday, "We have lost a great guy who inspired us all. His infectious personality and never-ending prompted many of us to nickname him 'Smiley.'"

"He was the most optimistic person I’ve ever seen in my life," Jennie Hatfield, the Chamber’s business manager, said in a remembrance on the chamber's website. "Even when he was having a hard time physically, he would always say he was doing fantastic. And he could always find the best in people."

Mike and his wife Linda have three children, Angela Till Klosterman, Daniel Till and Lauren Till, a son-in-law, Matthew Klosterman, and a grandson, Andrew Klosterman, according to his obituary.

Till will be buried Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington.