Leonard Lilly

Leonard Oliver Lilly of Odessa, Texas, passed away on February 22, 2023. Leonard was born on July 12, 1928, in Evansville, Indiana, to Charles and Freda Lilly. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army in 1946 serving at Fort Bliss, Texas. After discharge from the Army, he stayed in Texas for the rest of life working in the oil patch.

In 1948, Leonard met Betty Joan Gooch at the Corner Drug Store in Andrews, Texas, and soon they were married on November 22, 1950, in Andrews. Living in Andrews, Snyder, Brownfield, Sundown, Odessa, Kermit, and Seminole. Betty and Leonard had four boys and one daughter: Nick, David, Clark, Richard, and Kathy and one foster-son, Tommy Matthews.

Leonard worked for Mid-Continent Supply Company, Republic Supply Company, and Kar Products. Finally Automotive Industrial Products where he worked from 1963 until he retired in 2018 at the young age of 90 as Vice-President. Consistently one of AIP’s top salesmen and a mentor to numerous employees at AIP. His work was his hobby and made life-long friends from clients he called on. He never met a stranger. Never failed to provide for his wife, kids, grandkids, and even great-grand kids. No matter what the need was for. Never missed a birthday or anniversary. He truly loved his family. Leonard and Betty were members of the Sherwood Church of Christ for 30 years.

Leonard enjoyed following Mojo football and singing “The Indian Love Call” to his daughter. Loved lobster and made the best twice baked potatoes.   He could drive for miles without saying one word but could talk about bolts and nuts forever.  He was the best Papa ever to Lorne, Maygen, Hannah, Michael, Nicholas, Ryan, Zachery, Kaylyn, Morgan, Emily, Bailey, Nathan, Matthew, Adela, Camila, and Lennox.

Leonard is survived by his son Nick Lilly from Stephenville, TX; his daughter Kathy Berryhill and her husband Darren of Odessa TX; their children, Ryan Berryhill, Zachery Berryhill, Nicholas Woolley, and Emily Berryhill. His granddaughter Lorne Pederson and her husband Travis of Floresville TX; their daughters Kaylyn and Morgan Pederson. Granddaughter Maygen Lilly and her husband Chris Valdez of Hobbs NM; their children Baily, Nathan, and Mathew Valdez. Granddaughter Hannah Lilly from Lubbock Tx with her children Adela and Camila; and grandson Michael Lilly & his son Maddox Ganaway.

He is preceded in death by his wife Betty; his sons David, Clark, and Richard Lilly; along with his foster-son Tommy Matthews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

The family requests donations be made to Susie’s Closet at Today Center of Charities United in Lubbock, TX (todaycenterlubbock.com).