Levi "Graham" Gray Stilley

Levi Gray (Graham) Stilley, 95, of New Bern, NC died July 9, 2021 at his home. He was a proud Veteran of the US Navy having served during WWII aboard the USS Price, a Destroyer Escort, which provided support during the D Day invasion and in the Pacific Theater. After his war-time military service and later during his second enlistment, Mr. Stilley played baseball on the Norfolk Naval Base Team and for several semi-professional baseball teams in Burlington, Mt. Airy, and also for the New Bern Bears. Mr. Stilley was a retired building contractor, but his greatest accomplishment was coaching and teaching his four sons and hundreds of boys in the New Bern area not only baseball, his favorite sport, but also football, basketball and golf.

He is preceded in death by his parents Levi Clyde Stilley and Julia Parker Stilley Hopewell, his son Gene Stilley, his grandson, Jeremy Stilley, and his siblings Louise Stilley Morris, George Stilley, Johnny Stilley, Betty Hopewell Stowe, and Emmie Lou Hopewell Dixon. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lovie Thomas Stilley; sons Richard (Cathy) Stilley of Roswell, GA, Dennis (Kriston) Stilley of Rockmart, GA, Gary (Kim) Stilley of New Bern, NC, and daughter-in-law, Pat P. Stilley of Grantsboro; grandchildren, Allison L. Stilley, Amanda S. (David) Haselden, Emily S. (Eric) Harper, Katherine E. Stilley, and granddaughter-in-law, Marie Stilley; great-grandchildren, Casey Stilley, Miko Stilley, Diana Harper, Avery Roach, Bennett Haselden, Graham Roach, Jillian Stilley, Mildred Haselden, and Davis Harper; his siblings, Bill (Maggie) Stilley, David (Martha) Stilley, Ray (Brenda) Stilley, Jean Stilley Arthur, and Levi C. (Sheri) Stilley, Jr., and special caregivers, Angela Gaines and Latoya Collins.

The family will receive friends at the Cotten Funeral Home on Sunday July 11th, 2021 from 3-5 PM. Graveside services with military honors will be 11 AM Monday July 12th, 2021 at Greenleaf Memorial Park. Rev. Rex Horne will officiate. Family will meet at the funeral home for the 10:30 AM processional. Friends are requested to assemble at the cemetery.

Those desiring may make a memorial contribution to First Tee of Eastern NC, P. O. Box 14701, New Bern, NC 28561 or Camp Caroline, 3398 Janiero Rd., Arapahoe, NC 28510.