Jeffrey Lance "Jj" Lillard II

Jeffrey Lance Lillard, II (JJ), was born on December 29, 1999 to Kavella Salis and Jeffrey Lillard, Sr. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He departed this life on Saturday, September 29, 2024 at 12:29 pm at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
He received his early education through Kalamazoo Public Schools and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 2018. He received his custodian certification from Michigan Career & Technical Institute in Plainwell, Michigan in 2018.
Jeffrey was employed at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in their custodial department. Prior to KVCC he was employed with Western Michigan University in their custodial department. During his time at WMU he interacted with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and became well known within the WMU Administration, Student and Athletic community. He greeted everyone with a smile and a word of the day which the WMU community embraced whole heartedly.
He leaves to cherish his mother, Kavella Salis of Frisco, TX, his father Jeffrey (Sheree) Lillard of Kalamazoo, MI, two sister(s); Jenessa and Khloe Lillard of Kalamazoo, MI, three brother(s); Tyler Lillard, of Bloomington, IN, Kenyon Walker and Kayden Lillard of Kalamazoo, MI, Paternal Grandmother(s), Myra Lorraine Lillard of Flint, MI, Jannie Williams of Kalamazoo, MI, four uncle(s) Kevin(Sharon) Salis, Steven (Tracey), Rawlan II (Eraina), Derrick (Kendra) of Flint, MI, one aunt; Junella (Tyrone) Rule and a host of cousins and friends. Preceded in death Maternal grandmother Elnora Salis, Maternal grandfather John Durrah, Paternal grandfather Rawlan Lillard Sr.
JJ had a passion for poetry, anime, superheroes, video games, swords and music. He performed his poetry weekly at Spoken word events. He would call family and friends often to share his poems, last count of his poems was 175. He was so passionate about poetry that he once rode his bike 5 hours to perform in Grand Rapids, MI.
He was an encourager to everyone he met, never met a stranger and left a lasting impression.
He loved food, especially his Momma's brown sugar meatloaf. He shared the love of comic books (favorite character was the Flash), and Star Wars with his Dad.