James Lilly Obituary

Miss you friend. You are not forgotten.

Happy Birthday my friend. I miss you and think of you often.

Miss you buddy.

James, I think of you often dear friend, especially on your birthday. Nora, Jimmy, Christian and Mikey my thoughts are always with you.

Miss you dear friend.

Think of you often, James. You were a true friend. Love you, miss you.

May he rest in peace may James Jr and his sons josh and yandell cherish the little time they had with his dad and grandsons

We were very sorry to hear about this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. James was a decent man and good neighbor. He will be missed.

Nora,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My life is richer having known him. He always had time to speak with me, and share his knowlege and experiencthereby sharing his story with many others. You and the boys are in my thoughts.

james, you will always be inspirational to me and my family members. we never officially met, but my aunt was a friend of yours who always watched for your successes. my prayers are with you and your family.

We are so sorry for your loss. My husband knew James when he was a teenager probably sold him one of his first portable hand controls. I knew James from the RIC Breakers Softball team from 1990 along with Greg Ridley( may he RIP). We watched him spread his wings and become a great man. What s great athlete he was. i can't imagine doing the Alaska race 9 times. Wow! We send our deepest condolences to his family. We will say prayers for you. Kristi & Larry

I had the pleasure of working with James as he was a motivational speaker in Cicero several times. One time he came to my school with his son. He made his son shake my hand and say "pleased to meet you". I'm sorry for your loss, but your boys will grow up to be great men because of thier father's love.

Please accept our condolences in the loss of your loved one. May the knowledge that God is healing the brokenhearted ones (Psalm 147:3) provide a measure of comfort to the family during this difficult time.

My condolences. My prayers are with you.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Nora and the boys! If you ever need someone to talk to we are here for you! Brenda and John O'Laughlin

Our condolences from the Ortiz family your neighbor and friend our boys /kids go to school togeather and play football togeather I will never forget you your energy smile and inspiration everyday!!! I will miss speaking to you as I wait in the carline for the kids but will carry your smile! Love michell ortiz and family your neighbors!

God Bless

I have never met Mr. Lilly but read about him in the paper today - what an inspirational person he was. My sympathy to his wife, sons and family.

James you are fondly remembered as the one making us all laugh in class as we grew up in Graves. It's a real blessing to hear that you later triumphed over tragedy and inspired so many to do the same. That's a legacy and the mark of a real man. May God give your family strength and peace during this difficult time. God Bless

So sorry to hear of Jim's death. I was one of his band director's at Graves Elementary and liked him so much. I was happy to read in the paper that he was speaking to troubled youth and living a full life. Much Sympathy to his family.

My prayers are with you, your family, friends and most certainly with James. The many accomplishments of James have not gone unrecognized and inspire many.

May you rest in peace James Lilly.

James, you were such a big part of my life when I first got into racing. I loved being part of the RIC Lightning with you, Gary, Suzi, Karen and the rest....

You pushed me to be my best ....I wouldn't have made it to the Paralympics without you.

I will miss and hold you in my heart always. My love to Nora, the boys, your Mom and Dad and brothers.

Peace to you, dear friend.

Linda

May your light continue to shine on others. You may be gone but never forgotten. The mark you left on others will never be erased. God Bless..

To the Lilly Family: even though I didnt get to know James as well as others, I followed his career and his story. He was such an inspiration to others. My prayers go out to you. May the memories you shared carry you though this time of sadness and sorrow. God Bless

Our deepest condolences to your family on James passing. We will keep all the Lily family in our prayers.Childhood friend since the 4th grade back in Argo-Summit, you will be missed my friend. We will be attending the wake this evening.
Gylmar Ponce and family

Our hearts go out to Nora and the boys. James was a valued member of our team, he and his family will not be forgotten.

Martin Morse
Head Coach(retired)
University of Illinois(UIUC)
Wheelchair Track and Field Team

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Growing up in Argo-Summit, I knew him as a childhood friend of the community.

My condolences

To the Lilly Family, my deepest sympathy on your loss. James and my brother were good friends in elementary and jr high school and through their friendship I got to know him. May you find comfort in memories and strength in each others love throughout this difficult time.
Armando Garza &
Olga Garza-Friedrich

My sympathy to Jim's family during such a difficult time. I too went to Graves with Jim. He was always making people laugh. I had absolutely no idea about all his accomplishments until I read this. What a way to turn life around-he did some great things! I was just dancing with Jim almost a year to this date...who would have known. RIP Jim - you are now without pain... Heaven is about to get a little crazier - in a good way :) SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

My thoughts, prayers & deepest condolences to the Lily family. Jim was a childhood friend of mine. He will always be in our hearts & never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Nora, the boys and the family. James we will miss you -- your smile, enthusiasm, tenacity, competitive spirit and desire to be of service will stay on with us.

Peace Brother.
Scot Hollonbeck
- college buddy and racing friend

James baby,we just started to know each other.I wish you could have stayed longer. So, sorry Nora, hold tight to the boys like never before. Jim and Jeannette, sorry we couldn't be there for you.

To the Lilly family, my sincere condolences for your loss. Jim and I were classmates at Graves and after hearing about his passing so many childhood memories came racing through my mind. From the times he would come to school in his boy scout uniform to his silly class clown antics. I wish you all strength through this difficult time. God Bless...

James I cant believe your gone brother. Its so hard to comprehend. I remember the times we used to chill in the yard on cp and lyons,Im gonna miss u brother. Thank you for showing me how to deep fry a turkey u opened my taste buds and im forever gratefull!! Our prayers go out to your whole family, especially nora and the boys. Till we meet again my brother.
TORRES & ANGELES FAMILY
REST IN PARADISE!!!

Dear Jeannette, I'm so sorry for your loss.

James we are going to miss you. What you taught us is no matter what keep going forward. you were an example for everyone. A great roll model. especially for my son Andy. My condolences are with your family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Allen, Vonda, Alex Schure and Amanda Schure- Croucher Lagrange Highlands

I am so very sorry to hear of James passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
your neighbor, Joan Schroeder

Thank you for showing me, and as we say at Schwab Rehab, "because life doesn't stop for a Disability". I met James 14 years ago during a presentation he did at this rehab center. He was driving, doing marathon's, pushing his racing chair while he was on his personal, just did Alaska and wanted to get more people into sports. He believed that I can do the same....Thank you again, my old friend, all i have i condolences to your kids and wife, they come from the heart. As long as there are wheelchairs and marathons, James you will be remembered, nos volveremos a ver hermano.

James was one of the original "Barracks Boys" Tony Iniguez, Scot Hollonbeck, James Briggs. This group traveled around the country to numerous races. Lilly was a great competitor and always gave his best at everything he ever tried. He always knew how to make us laugh when things got stressful. He was feisty, intense and bold. I am proud to have known him. love, "Whitey"

Rest in Peace, James.

Kris Kreutzmann

I will miss my dearest friend James. He gave me courage, strength and unconditional support. You will always be remembered and loved dear friend.

I am so very saddened to read of the passing of James. He was an incredible athlete and a wonderful person.

We are sorry for your loss Nora. It breaks our hearts to hear this tragic news. We grew up knowing him as to be one our uncles. He was a known, long-time family friend and will forever be remembered. Our prayers go out to you and your family.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of this. My sincerest condolences to his family. James was a great guy and will be truly missed by many. May peace be with him.

Rest well my friend.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Nora! You and your family are in my thoughts!

WE ARE SO SORRY TO LEARN OF JAMES PASSING,HE WILL SURELY BE MISSED!

We are so sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May your memories bring comfort and peace.

The news of James' passing greatly saddens me. My prayer go out to James & his family during this mournful time. I knew James through the RIC & public speaking, he's a great guy and will be missed by many.

So sorry to hear of James passing. A great motovational, upbeat person, the best we have known. Nora and family our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jean and Rick Hoffman