Maj. Gen. Aaron Lycurgus Lilley Jr., USA, Ret., 87, of Commodore Lane, Smithfield, died Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Born in Gatesville, N.C., on May 7, 1933, he was the son of the late Aaron L. and Gladys Baines Lilley. He retired after serving in the Army for 32 years. He was a veteran of two tours in Vietnam, along with multiple assignments across the United States and Germany. His final assignment was commanding general, Fort Eustis. Decorations included Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Master Army Aviation Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge and many others. After his military career, Lilley was employed by Kaman Aerospace Corp. at their Crystal City office.

Since moving to Smithfield in 1998, he and his wife were active members of Benn’s United Methodist Church. He served on the Army Transportation Museum Foundation Board of Directors, VFW #8545, TRIAD and numerous military and civic organizations. He and his wife were instructors for the AARP Safety Driving course for many years.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 65 years, Betty Byrum Lilley, and their children, Linda Lilley Skenes (Ron), of Evans, Ga., and David A. Lilley (Susan), of Salem, S.C.; four grandchildren, Kevin Skenes (Krista), Carol Skenes, Aaron Lilley (Kimberly), and U.S. Army Capt. Daniel Lilley (Shana); and five great-grandchildren, Connor, Shea, Brooke, Jackson and Trace. Also surviving is his sister, Carolyn Lilley Banister (Steve), of Collierville, Tenn.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, and will be conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Betsy Caudill. Military honors will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Army Emergency Relief, 2530 Crystal Dr., Suite 13161, Arlington, VA 22202 or Benn’s UMC, 14571 Benn’s Church Blvd. Smithfield, VA 23430.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.