Norman Gene Lilly

Norman Gene Lilly, age 90, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on November 8, 2024. He was born on January 10, 1934, in Glen Hedrick, West Virginia, the second of three sons born to Dabney Z. Lilly and Melva Hollandsworth. He married Joyce Taylor in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 15, 1966.

Norm’s priorities in life were the Savior, his wife, and family.

Norm attended school in Glen Hedrick, West Virginia. As an eighth grader, he was fortunate to win a golden horseshoe as a finalist in the state history contest. He was then knighted by the State Superintendent of Education as a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe. He attended high school in Beckley, West Virginia, and focused his studies on Bookkeeping and Accounting.

After graduating from high school and living with a great aunt, Norm was introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was then baptized in 1952. He taught that the only way to live happily in this life was to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and walk in His example each day. The witness of this truth took him to the West and to BYU. He then served a mission to the Northwestern states from 1955-1957. After graduating from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1959, he moved to Ogden to teach at the Utah State Industrial School where he taught until he retired.

Norm had many hobbies during his lifetime. He was an aviation enthusiast and obtained a pilot’s license. He enjoyed flying small aircraft until he started a family. After Norman got married, he continued with his love of playing basketball and began coaching his boys’ athletic teams. He coached soccer and basketball. Norman mastered roller skating and enjoyed taking his kids to the local roller-skating rink. He enjoyed reading, playing horseshoes, and doing yard work for his family and others.

Norm served as a Sunday School teacher, Elder’s Quorum Instructor and President, Seventy’s President, Bishopric Counselor, Ward Genealogy Committee member, and was set apart by President Gordon B. Hinckley as a Temple Sealer.

Norman served several missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife. He served in the Ogden area teaching English to Spanish adults. He then served in the Nigeria Enugu Mission teaching family history and later served another mission in the Aba Nigeria Temple. He was a faithful ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple.

We consider the legacy of his good name and his example to be among the greatest gifts he has given us. We will honor and treasure our memories of him throughout our lives.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, and their four children – Larry Lynn of Ogden, Gary Norman of Arizona, Jeanine Marie of Montana, and Janel LaRene of Ogden. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and one great grandchild and his brother Dabney Lilly (Buddie). Norman is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Larry.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10:30 AM in the Waterfall Canyon Ward Chapel, 3254 Polk Ave., Ogden, UT. Family will greet friends with a viewing on Friday evening from 6-8 PM and 9-10 AM Saturday morning at the church.

Interment will be at Leavitt’s Aultorest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations to help with funeral costs would be appreciated, donations may be made by clicking on the following link on Norm’s obituary page https://myers-mortuary.com/obituaries/norman-lilly.

Arrangements entrusted to Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, UT.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.