Larry K. Lilley's Obituary
Larry K. Lilley, 82 of Fayetteville, AR passed away at home on July 19, 2026. He was born April 29, 1944 in San Diego, CA to R. Wayne Lilley Sr. and Lillian (Charton) Lilley.
Larry was raised in Morrilton with his brothers Corkey, Allan and twin Garry. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he met his wife Toni in line at school registration. She was a new freshman from Jonesboro, and he played the drums in a band. After a short courtship, they were married in Fayetteville in 1964. Larry was drafted into the Army and served as a sergeant in Vietnam for 2 years. When he returned, he and Toni made Little Rock home, where he was a building contractor. They raised Leah and Katie there before moving the family to Dallas in 1981. In Dallas he worked on residential and commercial construction and came home to Arkansas often for family gatherings in Morrilton and Jonesboro. Since 1995, the family has made Fayetteville their home. When he became a grandfather, Larry quickly became known as Papa, a new role he embraced proudly. Their home became central to countless holidays, birthdays and cookouts where he was always leading the fun.
When he wasn’t being Daddy or Papa, Larry loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers at deer camp, fishing and camping on the Buffalo and Little Red Rivers, and going on many hunting trips with family to Colorado. He is known for his Big Smith overalls, red handkerchief, and big, welcoming smile. He was a sergeant till the end. Daddy, we will always be your troops.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Toni Little Lilley, two daughters, Leah Jackson (Jeff), Katie Melton (Mark), six grandchildren, Mandy Raphael (Anthony), Cahill Jackson (Carly Mann), Oaklie Jackson (Ryan Starr), Lauren, Jack and Lily Melton, and four great grandchildren, Taeshawn, Cordell, and Moniyah Raphael and River Jackson.
A private family graveside will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas at https://alzark.org or the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance at https://buffaloriveralliance.org.
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