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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of LeRoy
4Franklin Lilly, who passed away on July 6, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly was born to Vater Mae Fite and J.C.
6Lilly in Panola County, Texas on March 30, 1930; he graduated
7from Carthage Colored High School at 16 years of age; he served
8in the U.S. Air Force from July 1947 to July 1950, beginning
9his military service as a truck driver and an automotive
10equipment operator at the Kelly Air Force Base in Dallas
11before transferring to Alaska; after he was honorably
12discharged, he joined his family in Maywood, Illinois,
13continuing his studies to become a lab technician; and
 
14    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly worked as a mechanical engineer at
15the American Can Company, known today as U.S. Steel; he
16retired after 42 years of service; and
 
17    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly married Barbara Louise Rainey on
18November 17, 1957, and they had five children; they lived in
19the West Garfield Park community before moving to Oak Park in
201971, where he raised his children for 30 years until his
21retirement; during those years, he and his wife were
22entrepreneurs, purchasing a six-unit building, owning a

 

 

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1barbeque joint, and purchasing five homes; and
 
2    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly studied to become a 33rd Degree Mason
3of Bethlehem Lodge 14; he also earned the title of Night Temple
4and Mecca No. 2 within the Shriners organization; he was a
5member of VFW American Legion Post 13 in Plainfield and was
6honored in 2021 as the oldest surviving member at 91 years of
7age; and
 
8    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly committed to his faith at an early
9age, becoming a baptized member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in
10Carthage, Texas; he was also a dedicated member of Bethel
11Lutheran Church for over 30 years, where he served as a deacon;
12alongside his wife, he joined the Neighborhood United
13Methodist Church after moving to Plainfield, Illinois, where
14he supported the Communion Board, loved bible study, and
15attended many church trips; and
 
16    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly enjoyed being sociable and loved a
17good joke, good music, a good drink, and a good time; he
18enjoyed traveling and vacationing annually with his family;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly was a beloved father, grandfather,
21and great-grandfather known for being a man of few words,
22whose deeds spoke volumes to all who knew him; he will be

 

 

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1remembered for his quiet strength, soft smile, selflessness,
2and the love and support he gave to his family; and
 
3    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly was preceded in death by his parents;
4his son, Darius LaRoi Lilly; his sisters, Vater Goodman and
5Billie June Neal; his uncles, Dan Lilly and Leon Conners; his
6aunts, Herese Bowman and Inez Chiszm; and his grandparents,
7Marvin and Selma Conners; and
 
8    WHEREAS, LeRoy Lilly is survived by his wife of 65 years,
9Barbara; his daughters, Iris James, State Representative
10Camille Y. Lilly, and K. Jasmyn Lilly; his son, Brian S. Lilly;
11his grandsons, Richard F. (Sharon) James, Darius J. Turner,
12former NBA player Evan M. Turner, and Brian S. Lilly II; his
13granddaughter, Briana Lilly; his great-grandsons, Richard F.
14Nii-Ayitey James II and Darius J. Turner Jr.; his
15great-granddaughter, Aubrey M. Turner; his niece, April
16(Vincent) Braggs; his nephews, Jerome Goodman and Kevin
17(Jackie) Neal; his cousins, Alyce Stewart, Joy Conners, and
18Melody Conners; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews,
19cousins, and friends; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
21HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
22we mourn the passing of LeRoy Franklin Lilly and extend our
23sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew

 

 

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1and loved him; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the family of LeRoy Lilly as an expression of our
4deepest sympathy.