Randy was born December 6, 1955, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL, to Roy E. Lilly, Jr. and Florence Marie (Covel) Lilly Brockman. His step-parents were Sharon (Keegan) Lilly and Arthur Brockman.
Randy lived in Harmon, IL, until graduation from Amboy High School in 1974. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from May 6, 1975, until September 13, 1977 (Vietnam Era). He worked on B52 Bombers, especially the Stratofortress, at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish, LA and trained in Rantoul, IL and San Antonio, TX prior to going to Barksdale. During his active Air Force career, when he was performing his preflight duties, the plane that was supposed to carry multiple soldiers for a routine mission wasn’t safe to fly, and Randy wouldn’t sign off for it to leave. He disobeyed multiple chains of command and almost got discharged from the Air Force for this. Finally, the head of the base came down to address the commotion. He looked at what Randy had seen in person, inspected the plane, and the flight never happened. Later on, upon further inspection, they discovered that if the plane had taken off, as it ascended into the sky, it would have exploded, and everyone would not have survived. He got recognized on base with a letter thanking him. He didn’t want to feel guilty if something happened if he had signed off on that paperwork. He didn’t want the blame and guilt at all. He didn’t want everyone upset with him, so he did everything in his power to prevent this tragedy from happening. His plane has since then been decommissioned and is on display at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Randy did various jobs to support his family. He married Patricia Mae Adams on January 15, 1978, in Hillsdale, IL. She preceded him in death on June 16, 2020. He enjoyed chess, sports, classic cars, a diverse range of music, TV programs, and movies. Randy had a great sense of humor, was witty and fun to be around, had a great recollection of memories, and could talk to anyone about anything. He was a proud fur grandpa to Sweetie and Charlie, along with other fur babies.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Suzanne (Scott) Lilly-Berek; five siblings, Patricia (friend Chuck) Lilly, Harold (Anita deceased) Lilly and families, Mandy (Matt) Francis and families, Sharon (Chuck) Kueter and families, and Brian (Joanna) Lilly and families; and a special friend, Teri, in Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, step-parents, and numerous family members and friends.
Thank you for being a part of his life, and cherish the memories, please!
A GoFundMe has been established. gofund.me/3aa639dfb
A Celebration of Life with military honors and Masonic rites will be held at a later date.
