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Floyd "Sonny" Tillman, the founder of Sonny's BBQ, has died at 96

His grandson, Joe Tillman, shared on X that Sonny "passed away peacefully surrounded by family"

Sonny and his wife, Lucille, founded the first Sonny's Real Pit-Bar-B-Q location in Gainesville, Fla., in 1968, with the restaurant eventually becoming the biggest barbecue chain in the U.S. by the 2000's

The creator of one of the most iconic Southern barbecue chains in the U.S. has died at 96.

Floyd "Sonny" Tillman, the founder of Sonny's BBQ, "passed away peacefully surrounded by family," on Sunday, Dec. 7, according to a post shared on X by his grandson, Joe Tillman.

"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," Jo

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