James Wilton “Jw” Lilly

James Wilton “JW” Lilly Sr passed away quietly at the age of 85 on February 27, 2023, at a hospice facility located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was born on March 23, 1937, in Gonzales, Louisiana to Harvey Lilly from Liberty, Mississippi and Murtice Robbins Lilly from Pine Grove, Louisiana. After growing up on a farm and attending Baker High School in Louisiana, he went to work for Dixie Electric (now called DEMCO).  In 1957, he met Sammye Raye Lockhart of Denham Springs, Louisiana on a blind date. They fell in love and married that same year. They raised four children in Denham Springs. He volunteered to serve in the Louisiana National Guard reaching the rank of sergeant and later served as a Livingston Parish Sherrif’s auxiliary deputy. JW and Sammye enjoyed many weekends camping with the children and the Denham Springs Campers Club, wherein he served as Vice President. The family was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denham Springs where he served as usher and on the Building & Grounds Committee. JW worked his entire career as a lineman in the construction industry, which took him to California in 1985. He was later recognized for 55 years of membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. After retiring from Southern California Edison in 1997, he and Sammye moved back to Denham Springs where they reconnected with family and friends. JW enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing in his Fish Master boat, repairing everything that needed fixin’, tending to his garden and creating art in his shop. JW was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward Lilly and John Lilly, daughter-in-law Hollie Chiniche Lilly and great grandson Braiden James Manning. He is survived by his wife of over 65 years, four children: James Jr (married to Amy Takehara Lilly living in San Antonio), Dale (living in Visalia, CA), Marsha Penley (married to Bob Penley living Baton Rouge) and Janet O’Bannon (married to Randy O’Bannon living in Durango, CO); eight grandchildren, Steven Lilly, Kristina Johnson, Dianna Lilly, Robin Krause, Devon Lilly, Trevor Lilly, Mason O’Bannon and Sydney O’Bannon; two great grandchildren, Joy Johnson and Reagan Johnson. He is also survived by his brother Harvey Jr and wife Rachel of Marion, Mississippi and sister Barbara “Bobbie” Devall and husband Doug of Central, Louisiana, and sisters-in-law Wenell Lilly of Albany Georgia and Yona Lilly of Zachary, Louisiana. JW will always be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was always willing to help friends and neighbors, and always cooked the best jambalaya and fried fish. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Maison de Fleur Assisted Living and The Crossing for their caring staff. Family and friends will celebrate his life on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM until time of service 2 pm, at the First Baptist Church of Denham Springs, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Denham Springs Memorial Cemetery.