Memorial service planned for Gary Lillie, who was killed in Scio Township crash
A memorial service will be held Sunday to honor Gary Lillie, an Ann Arbor real estate professional and veterans advocate who died Thursday night when he was struck by a car.
The service is planned for 11 a.m. at the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 7200 S. Huron River Dr. in Ypsilanti Township. It will include a bagpipe player and an honor guard ceremony for Lillie, who was a Vietnam veteran.
Those attending will have a chance to speak and share their memories of the long-time Washtenaw County resident.
Gary Lillie
Police say Lillie, 70, was struck and killed by a drunken driver around 11:30 p.m. Thursday while walking on Marshall Road in Scio Township, a short distance from his home.
Officers arrested the driver, Kevin Ronald Warren, 43, of Scio Township. He has been charged with operating while intoxicated causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Warren posted 10 percent of a $25,000 bond ordered by Magistrate Thomas Truesdell and was released Saturday from the Washtenaw County Jail.
The Rev. Gordon Moore, local chaplain for the Vietnam Veterans of America, will speak at Sunday’s service and said he plans to encourage those attending to step forward with a positive outlook, as Lillie would have wanted.
Though Lillie struggled with the way veterans were treated after returning from Vietnam, Moore said, he channeled those feelings into his volunteer efforts, aiming to give back to his community.
“He always had a smile on his face.”
Lillie launched a local weekly AM radio program called Veterans Radio, which highlighted the accomplishments of those who served the country.
A private funeral for family will be held on a different date.
Contributions may be made in Lillie's name to Chapter 310 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, PO Box 3221 Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106.
Heidi Fenton covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Larry Kestenbaum
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
Gary and I agreed on very little politically, but I always admired his courage and dedication and good humor. I am privileged to have known him. Thinking back over the years, and the multitude of friends and acquaintances we had in common, I never heard a single bad word about Gary. People liked and trusted him, and he was worthy of that trust. The photo shows him with a characteristic expression! May his memory be for a blessing.
john e le beau
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 9 p.m.
this guy was the real deal,he and I did not always agree,but we had conversation over the years.Poor kevin he has a mess to deasl with,I always remember the saying FRIENDS DON,T LET FRIENDS DRINK AND DRIVE. ( WHERE WERE KEVINS FRIENDS) GOd bless the troops that serve.and GOD bless kevine. and his family
Townie
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Gary - KIA, deserves our thanks for his service to all us. The best we can do to honor him is to be like him and act as he did. Thank You Gary.