Walter Lilly Jr.

Walter Timothy Lilly, Jr. departed this life on Monday January 20, 2014 at the age of 70 in Houston, Texas. He was a native Houstonian born on May 25, 1943 to the late Walter Timothy Sr. and Johnnie Mae Lilly. Many people knew him simply as "Junior", "WT", "Coach", or "Tim, Junior", "Uncle Junior". His father was a skilled barber and entrepreneur in the Houston area and his mother was a real estate businesswoman who loved her family. Walter was the second of three siblings born to this union. He had an older sister, the late Emmer Jean and baby sister, Johnnie Ruth. At the age of 10, Walter's mother passed away. His father eventually married the late Dora Jean Lilly (Kennedy). With this union, Walter was blessed to join three siblings Andy, Kenneth Wayne, and Billie Jean. Walter Sr. and Dora Jean had one child together, Craig Allen. Walter grew up in Houston's Sixth Ward, and attended Harper Elementary and Booker T. Washington High School. At Harper, Walter played the clarinet in the band and was involved in many other student activities. He was a letterman tennis player, clarinet section leader, and active socialite at Booker T. Washington. After graduating in 1961, he attended Prairie View A&M University to study Biology and Education. As a college student, Walter participated in many activities including the Crescendo Club (social music club), various science groups and professional education organizations. After graduating, Walter moved to Bastrop, Texas to begin his career as an educator at Mina High School - the only black high school in the city at the time. While in Bastrop, he met a fellow teacher, Harriette Louise, and it was love at first sight. After a beautiful courtship, they married on August 2nd, 1969 and remained together in this blessed union for 44 years until the Lord called him home. After moving to Houston, Texas to start their life together, Walter was blessed with the most special birthday gift - a son Torrence Chester, born on his birthday May 25, 1971. Eleven years later during the same month, the Lord blessed them again with a baby girl, Tiffany Paige on May 23, 1982. Walter was a hard working husband and father who loved and provided everything his family needed and wanted. Walter continued his career in education with the Galena Park Independent School district for the next 41 years. He focused on various subjects such as science, math, language arts, technology, and driver education and added value to schools such as North Shore Middle and Cobb Sixth Grade Center. Walter's love for the sciences was evident as he helped many students win district and regional science fairs year after year. As an advocate for teacher's rights and advancement, he held many leadership positions in organizations such as the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) - life member, Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA), and National Educators Association (NEA). Not only was Walter an inspiration to students in the classroom, but he also changed many lives on the field and courts. Walter was a well-respected athletic coach who devoted his life to enhancing the lives of boys and girls through sports. Hundreds of athletes can attest to the impact he had during his tenure coaching basketball, football, track, and tennis. Each year, his teams won championships and took home numerous trophies and awards to prove their success. He also supported the North Shore High School Athletic department by scouting new talent for the award winning football team. Walter's professional life outside of teaching was very successful as well. A true entrepreneur, he and best friend Everett White established Top Job Cleaning Service and were in business for about ten years. Walter was also a Director of Recreation at various Houston city parks such as Fond, Studewood, Woodland, and Montie Beach. In addition, he sold insurance and cemetery plots and was also a bartender at the Astrodome. He later returned to Prairie View A&M University to receive a Master's Degree in Education Administration. Walter also gave back to the community. He was an active member of the Booker T. Washington High School Alumni Association, receiving his life membership in 2009. As a leader in the Shepherd Park Terrace Neighborhood Civic Club, Walter stood before the Houston City Council to stop the construction of a busy street that would flow into the neighborhood. He was also a God fearing man who loved his church. Walter was a member of Damascus Missionary Baptist Church for over 60 years. He was appointed to the Trustee Board by Dr. L.F. Chaney, Pastor and served diligently by coordinating the finances of the church and counting tithes and offerings every Sunday. Walter also loved to sing in the Male Chorus. When he led songs, his upbeat rhythms would often cause the congregation to stand to their feet and rejoice. Until the day he left this earth, Walter was an avid sports fan. He was passionate about the Houston Texans, Texas Longhorns, and of course, the Houston Rockets. Walter loved reading and was recently recognized by the Harris County Library for reading over 100 books in 12 months. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing, celebrating life with his family. Because he was an organ donor, many lives will be helped in the future. Walter leaves to cherish his memory a loyal wife Harriette Louise; devoted children Torrence Chester and Tiffany Paige; loving sisters Johnnie Ruth Taylor (Ed), Billie Jean Gilliam (Lawrence); proud brothers Andy Richards (Janice), Kenneth Wayne Lilly (Tessa), Craig Allen Lilly (Angela), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and loving friends. He was preceded in death by both mothers Johnnie Mae Lilly and Dora Jean Lilly; father Walter T. Lilly, Sr., and sister Emmer Jean Sapenter (Hensley).