When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Arthur Milton Lilley who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Arthur was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Arthur knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.
Arthur was born on April 28, 1932 at home in Tower Hill 2 in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His parents were Arthur E. Lilley and Sarah Elizabeth Ruffcorn. Arthur was raised in Tower Hill 2 Pennsylvania. Even as a youngster, Arthur learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.
As a young boy, Arthur was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Arthur was raised with six siblings. He had three younger sisters whose names are Ruth, Loma and Mildred and three younger brothers named Donald, Ronald and Lloyd. Arthur had an inborn appreciation for order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Arthur, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.
Arthur's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Arthur enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Arthur took part in neighborhood football and enjoyed funning in the fields. In his spare-time he liked to read comic books such as Dick Tracy and Superman.
A logical and focused thinker, Arthur was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by others or were self-imposed. Arthur’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.
Arthur was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Arthur was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Arthur came to expect high standards of performance from him. While growing up, his best friend was Jack Barbish. Later in life, he became friends with Charlie, Pauline and Joe.
Arthur was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned about their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Arthur would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Arthur was blessed with five children, two sons, James and Arthur (Junior), and three daughters Annette, Marie and Joanne. They were also blessed with Fourteen grandchildren, Serina, Arthur III, Randy, Jennifer, Jimmy, Matthew, Michelle, Nicole, Margaret, Melinda, Robert, Maricela, Misty and Brandy.
Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Arthur was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Arthur was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Arthur upheld his standards. His primary occupation was in the U.S. Army and then went on to transportation after retirement from the Army. He was employed for many years by Continental Trail Ways and Uhaul. Arthur was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”
Arthur was an Army Veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He was in the Army from 1949 to 1969 and spent some of his military service in Alaska, Korea and Vietnam and was also stationed stateside at Fort Bliss Texas. Arthur saw action during the Korean and Vietnam Conflict. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant. He received several awards recognizing him for his heroism, including a Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal w\device, Republic Vietnam Service Medal W/1 Service Star, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal Bronze Clasp W/4 and 5 loops.
Arthur approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were traveling and site seeing. Arthur was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.
Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Arthur to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Top on his list was Football.
When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Arthur used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Arthur had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Canada and Hawaii.
Arthur cherished his pets. One of Arthur’s favorites was Maddie, a mix breed dog and Queenie, a poodle dog. They were best friends for many years.
He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned for his retirement in Arizona. In retirement, he found new pleasure working around the home doing fixer uppers and going site seeing. In many ways, Arthur loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.
Arthur passed away on June 8, 2022 at Addington Heritage Memory Care in Clear Lake, Texas. He is survived by his children, Jimmy, Annette, Marie and Joanne, many grandchildren and great grandchildren and his two sisters, MIldred and Ruth. Services were held at Pasadena Funeral Home. Arthur was laid to rest in Phoenix Arizona at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
All who knew him would agree that Arthur was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Arthur Milton Lilley did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person. Arthur Milton Lilley, age 90, of Houston, Texas passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Arthur was born April 28, 1932 in Luzerne, Pennsylvania.
A graveside service for Arthur will be held Monday, July 18, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greerwilsonchapel.com for the Lilley family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17