Robert "Dale" Lillard (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Robert “Dale” Lillard was born September 28, 1924 near Brownsfield, Missouri to his parents, Clarence Lillard and Rosetta Reid Lillard. Dale passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in Osage Beach Rehab Health Care Center in Osage Beach, Missouri. At the time of his passing, he was ninety-nine years, four months and seventeen days of age.
Dale was raised in the Crossroads Community and attended rural schools there. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp as a young man.
On September 28, 1945, Dale was united in marriage to Lorraine E. Lykken. To this union five children were born. They were married for over fifty-six years before his dear wife passed away on April 8, 2002.
In addition to his wife, Dale was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lawrence Lillard, R.G. Lillard and Freeman Lillard; and two sisters, Olive Bennett and Georgia Myers.
He is survived by his daughters, Lorna Johnson and husband Denny of Batavia, Illinois, Kay Sauer and husband Dennis of St. Michael, Minnesota, Vicki Tucker and husband Jim of Camdenton, Missouri, and Brenda Howell and husband Michael of Kelso, Tennessee; his son, Michael Lillard of Brooklyn, New York; ten grandchildren, Carl, Chad, Lisa, Stacy, Christopher, Jessica, Jill, Misty, Amy and Jenae; and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Early in his marriage to Lorraine, they lived in California. After being there for ten years, they returned to the Lebanon area and Dale opened a grocery business. He was successful in developing his business and then built and owned the White Sands Motel and The Shepherd Hills Motels. He also owned and operated a trucking company.
He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church for many, many years and was a child of God. He loved his Lord and Savior and looked forward to spending eternity in heaven.
Dale was very fond of vintage automobiles including owning a few and restoring them. He was very mechanical and enjoyed working on his cars. He also liked go-carts and enjoyed watching his grandchildren drive them. He was a man of many talents and knowledge and was involved in many business deals. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman,
He and Lorraine also enjoyed traveling and traveled all over the country.
Dale had lived through many events over the course of his long life, including The Great Depression and World War II. He had a wealth of stories to tell about “the old days” and used his experiences to assist him in being a successful business man.
He was a man of his word and you always knew where he stood on any given subject. He was a hard worker and was proud of his family. He leaves a great legacy of determination, confidence, loyalty and great love for his family. We celebrate his life and his wonderful accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them.
Friends may call at their convenience. A memorial has been established for the Tabernacle Baptist Church Bus Ministry and donations may be left at the funeral home.
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