Willie Rolen Lilly

Willie Rolen Lilly, 97, of Tyler passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 24, 2024. He was born July 20, 1926, in Smith County, at Elberta, south of Tyler. He married Virginia Sue (Johnson) Lilly on June 27, 1955, and passed 3 days short of their sixty-ninth anniversary. He graduated from Tyler High School, class of 1944. Willie and his twin brother, Wade, grew up working in their father’s rose fields, attended Tyler ISD schools, were drafted into the Army in January 1945, and both were stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their older brother, Paul, was stationed at the same base for a portion of their time there. After the Army, he worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and retired after 36 years of service. Willie also owned and operated W.R. Lilly Antenna Service in addition to his full-time position at Southwestern Bell, installing hundreds of television antennas all over east Texas. Willie was an avid deer hunter and loved his many trips to the Hill Country. Willie was a longtime member and Deacon at Southern Oaks Baptist Church, being their oldest member. During his retirement, Willie enjoyed travelling across the United States with his family and friends from his church. Willie was active all the way to the end of his life and never lost his sense of humor. He died less than 40 yards from the house in which he was born. A member of what has been called the Greatest Generation, he fully embodied the American ideals of self-reliance, rugged individualism, and personal responsibility. He never met a problem he couldn't solve with his wits and his will. His family celebrates that he is finally home, enjoying the presence of the Savior he loved. Willie was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Clara Lilly, an infant brother John Lilly, two sisters Lucy Deen and Mildred Lilly, twin brother Wade Lilly, and older brother Paul Lilly. He is survived by his wife Virginia; daughter Gail Thigpen and husband Joe; sons Don Lilly and wife Amy, Ted Lilly and wife Cathy; grandchildren Lauren Odom and husband Christopher, Andrew Thigpen, Peyton Lilly, Sarah Lilly and husband Joe Bakker, and Adam Lilly and wife Morgan Hunt, as well as great-grandsons Levi and Mason Odom. Services for Willie will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Tony Garrett officiating. Burial will follow at Meador Cemetery in Tyler. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of East Texas (https://hospiceofeasttexas.org), Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or Southern Oaks Baptist Church (https://welovethegospel.com).

Willie Rolen Lilly

July 20, 1926 - June 24, 2024