James Lilley, 97, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, September 5, 2020. He was born on July 13, 1923, in Wynn, Pa., to the late Charles and Edna Hugh Lilley. He was predeceased by Betty, his beloved wife of 72 years, and his dear brother, Eugene.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Jellison (Steve) of Jacksonville, Fla.; his son Brent Jay Lilley (Adriana) of Mooresville, N.C.; granddaughters Briana and Aveline Lilley; his like-a-son Daniel Devere of Rosamond, Calif.; his brother Homer Lilley of Amherst, Ohio; his nieces and nephews Gail, Pat, Steve, Britt, and Leslie; and his grand-dogs Baxter, Molly, and Coco.

Jim grew up in a small coal mining town in western Pennsylvania, graduated from Redstone High School, and served in the United States Army during WWII. After he and Betty married in 1947, they moved to Columbus, Ohio, so he could attend Ohio State University. He was on the management staff for many years at Jess Howard Electric in Blacklick, Ohio, before his retirement in 1987. He was a past master of his Masonic Lodge in Bexley, Ohio, and a lifelong Christian. He was a member of Brookwood Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio, for 50 years and a member of Coddle Creek ARP Church in Mooresville for the last 20 years.

He was a loyal Buckeye sports fan and an avid reader. He enjoyed playing golf and watching the pro tournaments on TV. Jim and Betty loved to dance and were able to for most of their 72 years together. He always loved listening to classical music and was peacefully doing so when he took his last breath.

Services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Coddle Creek ARP Church, 2297 Coddle Creek Highway, Mooresville, NC 28115 or Hope Haven, a nonprofit for children with disabilities, 4600 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mr. Lilley. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.