William Robert Lillie

Norwich-William Robert Lillie, age 90, of Norwich passed away on May 21, 2015 at William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. He was born in Norwich on March 27, 1925, son of the late Flora Arlene (Spaulding) Lillie and Robert Turner Lillie.

He attended NFA and received his High School Diploma. At age 16 he was an Air Warden during 1941-1942. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1943 until he was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Field Cook Sgt. and Rifleman Marksman. He was engaged in battle in Okinawa. He was sent to China and participated in the surrender of the Japanese military. He was a member of the VFW Post 10004.

On May 17, 1947 he married Jennie Rose (Yablonski) at St. Mary Church in Greenville.

William was a direct decedent of the Mayflower and Pilgrims and the Sons of the American Revolution Post.

He worked at American Thermos Bottle Co. for 17 years and retired as a postman after 25 years. He was a real estate broker, with his dad, who was also a broker.

William enjoyed bike riding, fishing, writing articles in newspapers and singing with jokes, and writing Letters to the Editor for 20 years.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by a daughter Judith Ann Cellmer and her husband Terrence Lee of NJ., a daughter Deborah Louise Plante of Norwich and a daughter Dawn Lori Colonni of Mystic, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren all of whom he loved dearly.

Family and friends may visit Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich on Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter and Paul Church, 181 Elizabeth St. on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Norwich. Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the Lillie family.