Services: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at the Christian Church, Nixa. Gravside service to follow at 11 a.m. Nov. 13, at the Isabella Cemetery, Isabella, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
William “Bill” Wesley Lilley, 88, of Springfield, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. He was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Okeene, Oklahoma, the son of Herman Jefferson and Martha (Oliver) Lilley. On May 15, 1948, he was united in marriage with Twyla Joan Fuller.
Bill graduated from Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma with a degree in music education in 1951. Following graduation, his 40-year teaching and administrative career included positions in Dexter, Bucklin, St. John, Lyons and Dodge City, Kansas, where his marching bands became legendary. In 1971, he received his master’s degree from Wichita State University and became the Supervisor of Music for the Hutchinson, Kansas School District, overseeing the band, orchestra and vocal music programs. He was loved by his students and colleagues alike and over the years his bands performed at two NFL halftimes and three bowl games. Bill was well-known and respected as a director, administrator and leader in Kansas music education. He served as President of the KMEA from 1977-1979 and was inducted into the KMEA Hall of Fame in 2013. Nothing gave him as much pleasure as hearing from his former students, whether they continued in music professionally or just recalled the special times being part of one of his bands.
Bill was active in the Christian Church in Lyons, Kansas and the Nixa Christian Church and many civic organizations. Fishing, hunting, camping, boating and Lady Bears basketball were life-long passions and he shared those passions with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his three sons and their wives, Wesley and Patricia Lilley of Centennial, Colorado, Jeffrey and Susie Lilley of Rose Hill, Kansas, and Gregg and Cathy Lilley of Fordland, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Nathan Lilley, Travis Lilley, Jason Lilley, Casey Lilley, Ayrin Billups, Alex Lilley, Craig Meitler, Kim Meitler, Jason Henry and Shawn Lilley; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Wright of Fairview, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Twyla; a brother, Carl Lilley; a sister, Ethel Wilhelm; three brothers-in-law, Oral Fuller, Virgil Wilhelm and Jim Wright; two sisters-in law, Myrtle Lilley and Barbara Geis; and his parents.
