James Ernest "Jim" Lilley

Jim was the beloved and devoted husband of Stella A. Lilley whom he was married to for 27 years. They resided in Fishersville at the “Graystoke Farm”.

Mr. Lilley was born September 30, 1937 in Staunton, son of the late Glen Franklin and Mrytle Lula (Ludwig) Lilley.

He graduated from Wilson Memorial High School in 1957 and served in the National Guard for eight years. He retired from Dupont after 37 years of service and was a member of the National Quarter Horse Association and a Certified Judge of Quarter Horse Competition.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by five brothers, Raymond, Bob, Mike, Larry and Roy Lilley; two sisters, Mary Higgs and Shirley Wilkins.

In addition to his loving wife and constant caregiver while he was sick, Jim is survived by three sisters, Mabel L. Arehart and friend Robert Tanner of Stuarts Draft, Ileen L. Galford and husband Eldon of Staunton and Beulah L. Swisher of Stuarts Draft; a niece, Janet Sellers of Harrisonburg; brother-in-law, Clarence Wilkins of Stuarts Draft. He is also survived by three daughters who worshiped the ground he walked on as did he of them, Cathy E. Lilley of Stuarts Draft, Sharon L. Moore and husband Steve of Stuarts Draft and Diane I. Lilley and friend Lanie Bordwine of Gladys, VA; five grandchildren, Jennifer Lowery, Danny Sheets who made his home with him at an early age and was his granddaddy’s partner, helper and follower, Beth Lilley, Stephanie Lilley and Brandon Sheets; five great-grandchildren, Madison Varner, McKenzie and Mason Waymack, Tasia Wells, Lilley Grace (Gracie) Sheets who was named after him; mother-in-law, Kathleen Dorraugh of Luray; sister-in-law, Faye Cave and husband Steve of Luray; sister-in-law, Gloria Dean and husband Farrell of West Virginia; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Atwood of Bentoniville, VA and brother-in-law, Davy Atwood and wife Darla of Orange, VA.

Mr. Lilley also leaves behind a special nephew, Brian Harris and many close friends including, Wallace and Juanita Poole, Joel and Eddie Wilson and Bob and Joyce Wilfong; as well as the mother of his three daughters, Florence Ayers.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral homes, 618 W. Main Street, with Randy Swisher officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Danny and Brandon Sheets, Brian Harris, Joel Wilson, Tom Bartley and Bob Wilfong.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Glover, Mark Chase, Roland and Terry Hammer, Raymond Hanger, Alfred Berry and Vince Schindler.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the funeral home.

Jim was known for his love for his family and cowboy ways. He loved his family dearly and “thoroughly enjoyed” spending time together. He loved his horses from training, to showing them or just packing up and taking a trail ride on any given day. He was also in the cattle business and eagerly jumped at the opportunity to teach his grandson and the younger generation how to manage it as well. Jim Lilley truly was a legend of his own time!

Arrangements under the direction of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Waynesboro Chapel, Waynesboro, VA.