PIEDMONT | Gary passed away peacefully at his home on July 14, 2016 at the age of 76.

Born to George Wayne and Blanche Walker Lillie on July 31, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN. Gary's mother passed way at age 31, his brother Ronald Lillie at age 35 and his father at age 49. These early heartaches and loss seemed an incentive for him to fill his life with adventure, new experiences and fascinating people. He strove for quality of life to the day he died.

He was a man of integrity who worked to live rather than live to work. In everything he was the best he could be. He was a photographer in the Navy, an art and photography teacher, a realtor, and a company treasurer.

Yellowstone National Park was his favorite place, deepened by memories of working there in his youth and meeting his first wife, Joyce.

He was seriously involved with sled dog racing, trialed and hunted with German Shorthair Pointers, ran his first marathon at age 50. In his 70's he started bowling and won awards. On His tombstone in Michigan, where some of his ashes will be interned reads, "I loved my dogs, I loved my life, but most of all, I loved my wife."

"The deeper your love, the more devastating the loss and the sweeter the memories." Carol Valentine, loving wife.

Services will be held at 11a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Piedmont on July 20 th with a visitation one hour prior. A inurnment will start at 1:30 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials to American Legion Post 311, Piedmont, SD 57769