Bill Lillard

William “Bill” Lillard, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024, at his home.

William Warren was born to Howard Anthony and Eva Christina (Parham) Lillard, March 1, 1936, in Laclede County, Missouri, near Lebanon. His family moved to Oakland, Iowa, when he was four years old, and at age 12 relocated to a farm south of Atlantic. He attended South Bear Grove #1 Country School and later graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1954. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960, finishing Basic Training in Fort Hood, Texas. Being stationed in Germany at the same time Elvis Presley was there about 50 miles away, their paths crossed and they met several times. Life took him to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a year and then Odesa, Texas another year before he returned to Atlantic. He and Karen Marie Boehme were married in September of 1966 in a Baptist Church in Papillion, Nebraska but called Atlantic home for the remainder of their lives. A few years later they adopted their son, Stanley Dean, at 22 days old out of Dubuque, Iowa; he was the pride and joy of their life!

Bill was in construction for over 20 years with Andrews & Sons Roofing and later roofing with his own son, Stan for a time. He then got a job at Imperial Clevite, more recently known as MAHLE, where he worked for 27 years. After retirement, he and Karen worked as a team cleaning Atlantic Locker after hours, for several more years. Together, he and Karen were members of the Brayton Baptist Church.

In his spare time, Bill greatly enjoyed fishing and hunting, usually with his dogs by his side as they were always ready to jump in the vehicle with him for a ride! He was a member of the Eagles Lodge for several years. In quieter moments, he relished watching Green Bay Packers football games or a good John Wayne movie! As grandkids and great grandkids arrived on the scene, Bill’s priorities shifted and they quickly rose to the top of his list! 

He is survived by his lovingly devoted wife, Karen; daughter-in-law, Liz Lillard of Council Bluffs, Iowa; former daughters-in-law, Leah (Mitch) Mundorf of Atlantic and Laurie (Eric) Jensen of Cumberland; grandchildren, Cody (Michelle) Lillard of Avoca, Iowa, Danielle (Joe) Hadley of Atlantic, Tiffany (Zach Flathers) Lillard of Cumberland, Iowa, and Tori (Scottie) Yates of Neola, Iowa, Scott Jackson, and Kyler Edie; great grandchildren, Aleyah, Mariah, Carter, Lucas and Sophia; sister and brother-in-law, Janice (Joe) Sylvester of Papillion, Nebraska; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Betty Lillard of Atlantic, Sharyl and Ray Brooks of Urbandale, Iowa, Donna Schaaf of Waukee, Iowa, Carl G. Swolley of Atlantic, and Dale Dickerson of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by their son, Stan Lillard; grandson, Brandon Harry; parents, Howard and Eva Lillard; brothers, Norm (Shirley) Lillard and Ernie Lillard; sisters-in-law, Shirley Lillard, Beverly Lillard, Janet Gustin and Marlene Dickerson; brothers-in-law, Jim Skipton, Ronald Boehme, Ed Gustin, Allan Schaaf; nephews, Rick Lillard, Mark Lillard, Shaun and Tommy Gustin and Carl W. Swolley; niece, Lori Lillard; and great niece, Carli Lillard.

Visitation with family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, October 5th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Funeral Services will begin after the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ross Swope of the Brayton Baptist Church officiating. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at the Atlantic Cemetery with the Atlantic Color Guard providing military honors.

Memorials may go to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Bill's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.