Verl Thomas Lillywhite

Verl Thomas (V.T.) Lillywhite passed away July 14, 2007 in Mesa, AZ. Verl was born in Garland, Utah on December 5, 1926 to LeRoi and Cleopha Lillywhite and was the youngest of five children. Verl's family moved to Southern California where he grew up. Verl graduated from Inglewood High School and attended Modesto Junior College before transferring to the University of Southern California. He graduated from USC with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and a Master of Arts Degree from Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences. Verl was a gifted athlete and excelled in sports, especially football, while at USC and with the San Francisco 49ers (1948-51). Verl served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1960. He was very proud of being a Veteran and an American. After Verl's time in the Navy, he became an educator and coach at Mount Sac Junior College prior to starting a 21-year tenure at Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, CA in 1970. He served as a teacher, coach and athletic director for the school until his retirement in 1991. Verl was dedicated to educating, mentoring and motivating young people to excel and succeed at whatever they wanted to do. Verl touched many people's lives during his career as an educator. Verl was very athletic and would give racquetball lessons to anyone brave enough to challenge him. He was always referred to as Coach even after his retirement by most people who knew or met him. He retired to Mesa, AZ with his wife Ronnie Lillywhite. Verl was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoi and Cleo Lillywhite; brother, Roy Lillywhite; and sister, Daryl Long. Verl is survived by his wife of 25 years, Ronnie; sister, Dorothy Noorlander; sister, Eyvonne Rohner and her husband Cal; his son, Michael Lillywhite and his wife Vicki; son, Jim Lillywhite; son, Jeff Lillywhite and his wife Lisa; step-son, Troy Nichols; step-son, Hugh Nichols and his wife Jane; step-daughter, Lori Taylor and her husband Kenny; and step-son, Ross Nichols and his wife Rayna. Verl is survived by 20 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Verl will be remembered as great man who was very generous and who loved his family dearly. Services will be held Saturday, July 21 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1455 North Harris in Mesa, AZ at 10:00 AM with a visitation at 9:00 AM. There will be a viewing at Bunker's Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday July 20. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.