Joseph E. Lilley Jr.

Joseph E. Lilley Jr. GATES - Joseph E. "Sonny" Lilley Jr. of the 800 block of N.C. Hwy. 37 North died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. Mr. Lilley was born in Gates County and was the son of the late Joseph E. Sr. and Ella Sue Askew Lilley. A retired electrician from Hercules Inc. after 38 years of employment, he currently was a mail courier with CRMP Inc. A member and deacon at Reynoldson Baptist Church, he also enjoyed membership in the Gates Ruritan Club and the Swains Mill Wildlife Club, and served on the board of directors of the Gates Volunteer Fire Dept. where he formerly was a member. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Williford Lilley, and his brother, Leonard Lilley. Surviving are his son, Dean Lilley, his wife Angie and their daughter, Lauren, all of Eure; his brother, William Lee Lilley of Carrollton, Va.; his faithful canine companion, Betz; several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many, many friends. A funeral will be held Friday at 3 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church by the Rev. Billy Presley. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, and all other times at the home of his son, 1303 US 158 West, Eure. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gates Volunteer Fire Dept., Gates, NC 27937 or to one's favorite charity. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.millerfhc.com.