William Neal Lilly

William N. “Bill” Lilly, 90, of Chattanooga, TN passed away on March 29, 2020. He was born in Raleigh, NC where he graduated from Broughton High School and N.C. State University. He lived in Greensboro for 32 years where he worked in product development and quality assurance for two companies in textiles and apparel. He joined Dixie Yarns in Chattanooga in 1986 as Manager of Yarn Development. He was active in four trade associations and became president of two during his career.
After retiring, he consulted for textile companies domestically and in Mexico and Colombia. He served with International Executive Service Corps which sent his wife and him on a seven week mission to Kathmandu, Nepal in 1994. Later he was a volunteer for Service Corps of Retired Executives in Chattanooga. He was a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church and the Promise Bible Study Class.
He is preceded in death by his sister Jane Lilly Allman of Raleigh and his mother and father: John and Alma Lilly.
Survivors include his widow, Cecilia Jones Lilly, daughters Laura Boylan of Winston Salem, Lynn Saunders (Randy) of Ooltewah, brother Robert E. Lilly of Big Lake, Alaska, three grandchildren, one great grandson, and second great grandson coming soon in May.
A private graveside service will be held at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Rev. Bill Owens officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Works Church “Building Fund” or Hospice of Chattanooga.
You are invited to share a personal memory of Bill or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com.