of Ava, MO
August 12, 2021
Clifford Ray Lilly, 92, has passed away at his residence in Ava Missouri in the presence of his wife Jean Lilly. He was born to parents Roy Lee Lilly and Opal Vern Vie Lilly Howell on October 6th, 1929 in Moberly, Missouri.
Clifford joined the Army Air Corp as a plumbing instructor. He started his business Lilly's Plumbing and Heating in Kansas City North, Missouri in 1953 until 1974. He began his racing career in 1950 at the age of 21 and continued until 1978 when he retired from racing sprint cars in the International Motor Car Association (IMCA). He started Clayco Speed Shop in 1965 in Claycomo, Missouri, building and selling sprint cars and modified chassis's to the Kansas City racing community. He then built and ran Lilly's RV Campground in Lakeview, Missouri until he retired to Cotter Airport in Cotter Arkansas. There he rebuilt Aerocoupe airplanes as well as several hangar homes at the airport. He was inducted into the Central Auto Racing Boosters (CARB) Hall of Fame in Kansas City in 2019 in the new 'Pioneer Class'.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 45 years Jean Lilly. Jean's brothers Carl Friend and Dick Blanton. His step son Daniel Murrill of Hillsboro, Missouri, and his granddaughter Becky Murrill and grandsons Wayne Murrill, and three great granddaughters, Ruby, Autumn, and Violet. His oldest daughter Brenda Lilly Landing and her husband Jim Landing of Houston, Texas and grandsons David Couch of Elizabethtown, KY, Lance Couch of Liberty, MO, and Matthew Mickelson of Sioux City, IA. His son Roy Lee Lilly of Liberty Missouri, and his grandson Travis Roy Gilpin of Blue Springs, Missouri and his two great grandchildren Anna Beth Gilpin and Gavin Troy Gilpin. His youngest daughter Patricia Ann Lilly of Wall Township, New Jersey and his two grandchildren M.J. Losecar and Reese Losecar. He was predeceased by his first wife Joanne A. Lilly Lewis Pigman.
A funeral service was held at noon on Monday, August 16, 2021 at Roller Funeral Home. Interment followed at Baxter Memorial Garden.
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1 Condolence(s)
Sandy Wheeler
Saturday, August 14, 2021
I’ve known the family for years, since Brenda and I were in middle school in Claycomo. Roy was a couple of years behind Brenda in school and Patty was 2 years old. I want to convey my thoughts and prayers to Jean,Brenda,Roy and Patty and their families. May God wrap his loving arms around each of you. I’m so sorry for your loss of your Father and Mother this year, my thoughts and prayers are there with each of you. Sincerely Sandy Wheeler.