Raymond "Buddy" Lilly Jr.

Raymond "Buddy" H. Lilly, Jr., born May 9, 1946 in Beckley, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2022. Buddy is survived wife, Dee, of 47 years. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Irene, and father, Raymond H. Lilly Sr., stepmother Lorraine and sister Patty Ondo. For 38 years, Buddy worked as produce manager and night grocery clerk at Safeway Food Stores. He retired from Safeway on April 1, 2004. He is a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, serving two tours of duty in 1968 and 1969 as a mechanic, door gunner and flight engineer on a CH47 Chinook. He received an Honorable Discharge on June 27, 1970. For his service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal by the Secretary of the Army.

Buddy was an avid Cowboys fan and VHS/DVD movie collector - so much so that he could have opened his own "Blockbuster."

Buddy gave the gift of humor, love and kindness to all he encountered - servers at his favorite restaurants, fast food places, even his favorite bagel place. He always made everyone smile and laugh and left them with "Take care - stay safe."

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Buddy are welcomed to the Wounded Warriors Project and St. Jude's Hospital. These were two of his favorite charities.