Ronald "Ron" Gordon Lilley

Ronald Gordon Lilley, age 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children June 25, 2025. Born, August 1, 1938, in New Albany, Pennsylvania, Ron was the son of Wayne and Gertrude Lilley. He graduated from Towanda High School in 1956, served three and a half years in the United States Army Security Division stationed in Germany. Ron then attended Lock Haven State Teachers College in Pennsylvania and met his wife Sharon Watson. Upon graduation, they moved to New York State and he began his career teaching elementary education at Chenango Valley and Chenango Forks Central schools. He completed his graduate work at the State University Colleges, Oneonta and Oswego. He then moved to Walton, NY where he accepted a job as a Curriculum Coordinator. One year later he returned to Chenango Forks and spent the next 23 years in the district in various positions including Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Special Education, Assistant Superintendent and retiring as the Superintendent in 1993. Ron’s larger then life personality, infectious laugh and generous nature made those who knew him love him. He could fill a room with his boisterous voice which was ideal for both calling bingo and telling stories. He had a competitive spirit which often showed with his love for cards and games. He was as a distinguished Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis International and was a Lifetime Member of the VFW in Bellview, Florida. Ron proudly served as a member of the Honor Guard for thirty years, president of his communities Veteran’s club and recently completed Mission 65 of the Villages Honor Flight program to Washington, DC. Ron was also a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving as an Elder, schedule coordinator and Eucharist minister over the years. Ron enjoyed traveling with his wife, singing, hunting, and was an avid golfer playing for many years in the PGA Tour’s Pro-Am at the BC Open in Endicott, New York. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in Texas and North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers, Robert and Sam, his sister, Jeanette, and his wife of 60 years, Sharon, the love of his life whom he has missed so intensely the past 5 years. Ron is survived by his children, Kevin Lilley and wife, Tina, of Durham, NC, daughter, Lisa Paul, and husband, Mike, of The Colony, TX, daughter, Corinne Gutosky, and husband, Joe, of Kernersville, NC. He also leaves behind five grandchildren; Zach Paul (wife Chrissy), Nicole Fazakerly (husband Bryan), Tyler Gutosky (wife Lana), Hannah Gutosky and Brendan Lilley and three great grandchildren, Peyton, Breck and Skylar Paul, with great grandson Fazakerly expected in December. Arrangements are being handled by Roberts of Ocala Funerals & Cremations, Ocala, Florida. Contributions in honor of his memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Summerfield, Florida. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on July 14, 2025 at 10:00am. Followed by a Military Service at his final resting place Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 1:30 pm.

Ronald "Ron" Gordon Lilley

August 1, 1938 - June 25, 2025