Pender Ray Lilley | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. Pender Ray Lilley, aged 91, of Washington NC, went to be with his Lord on July,16, 2026. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by family.

    Mr. Lilley was born on September 28, 1934, in Beaufort County to the late Leslie Lilley and Annie Rachel Latham Lilley. He married the love of his life, Sylvia Ann Whitley on April 3,1960, at First Baptist Church and they spent their life together in Washington, until her death in November 2019. They traveled the world together in the latter years of their 64-year romance, enjoying multiple adventures in Alaska, Hawaii, England, western Europe, and the Mediterranean region.

    Ray enjoyed two parallel careers. He worked for the US Postal Service for 30 years and served as a postmaster in several eastern NC post offices, retiring in 1989. He also served for 38 years in the NC National Guard and Army Ready Reserves, serving with distinction at several domestic posts and abroad in Germany and Italy, while a member of the NC Adjutant General's staff. He retired from service in 1994. Ray loved his community and its youth. He spent over 35 years coaching youth sports, in particular football. While serving on the Washington Recreation Board, he and his fellow board members founded the Optimist Club Football League in 1973. He coached the Packers team for the next 30 years, winning multiple "Super Bowls" and placing two of his former Packers into the National Football League.

    Survivors include his son, Ron Hanson Lilley, his wife Lynn Snead Lilley, of Kernersville, NC and his beloved granddaughter Harper McCoy Lilley, of Orlando, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brother James "Jay" Lilley.

    Mr. Lilley will lie in state at Paul Funeral Home on Monday, July 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, for visitation. A memorial service will be scheduled for mid-August and will be officiated by Dr. Greg Barmer, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church.

    In memoriam to Ray and Sylvia, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 113 North Harvey Street, Washington, NC 27889.

    Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington which is honored to serve the Lilley family.