BURNS LILLEY

SMYRNA CENTER – Burns Lilley, 86, died Saturday, March 25, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 11, 1919, in Smyrna Center, the son of Fred and Flossie (Grieve) Lilley. He was a graduate of Merrill High School, Class of 1939. He was a member of the Smyrna United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees. Burns was a veteran of World War II. He was in the 103 Infantry, 43rd Division, Company I, serving from March 1941-June 1945. He served two years and eight months in the South Pacific. He served as an infantryman in the following campaigns: Guadalcanal, Northern Solomon’s, New Guinea and Luzon. Burns received a Bronze Star and an honorable discharge as staff sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion. Burns married Juanita Brisley Aug. 17, 1945. They started farming together in Smyrna Center in 1946. They farmed all their lives. In later years they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, wintering in Florida and attending the Fryeburg Fair. In 1959, they built the first loose housing milking parlor in Aroostook County. He received numerous awards for his work in the agricultural field. In 1975, he received the Green Pasture Award, in 1980, the Outstanding Farmer Award from the cooperative extension service and in 1984, an award for dedicated service to the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District where he had served as a supervisor for 15 years. Burns was a selectman and sexton for the town of Smyrna. He was a 4-H leader, a delegate for the Eastern Breeder’s Co-op, served on the Aroostook RC & D Committee, the Agway store committee and the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Burns is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita; a sister, Joyce Mathers and her husband, Herbert, of Island Falls; two sons, James and his wife, Nancy and Perry and his wife, Paula, of Smyrna; a daughter, Wanda and her husband, Brian Mallett, of Lee; seven grandchildren, Renae and her husband, Rob Foley, Holly and her husband, Seth Hodgkins, Matthew and Daniel Lilley, Lauren and her husband, Neil Labrie, Rebecca and her husband, Josh Jacques, and Brittany Mallett; four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, three sisters, Octavia Lilley, Mabel McNelly and Della Clark; five brothers, Jack, William, Gordon, Roger and Murray. Friends and family may call noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the Smyrna Methodist Church where a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Smyrna Methodist Church or the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Hospice of Aroostook for their care and support. They made it possible for him to remain at home where he had many family members and friends visit so he could share his wealth of life stories and his knowledge of the history of local families. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls.