Steven Osborn Lilly

STEVEN OSBORNE LILLY
October 7, 1947 ˜ January 20, 2022

Born Oct. 7, 1947, in Coeur D Alane, ID. Parents Robert Britton and Dorothy Mae Lilly. Oldest of the four siblings; sisters Carla and Earlene, brother Robert.
When Steve was a child the family lived in the Eastern Washington area.
Steve graduated from Manzano High School in Albuquerque, NM, in the Spring of 1966. Steve joined the Army in 1967 and served as a Supply Sergeant in the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his term of duty, Steve had become an E6 Staff Sergeant and was proud of his service. Steve returned home to Albuquerque, NM, in 1969 and married Linda Hightower in 1970. They moved to the Oregon Coast where daughter Rachel Diane was born on Oct. 12, 1970, in Tillamook, OR. Shortly after Rachel was born, they moved to Texas to be near Linda’s family and were married until 1973.
Steve returned to Oregon where his parents were living in Rockwood. It was there that Steve met his lifelong partner Nora Keating Dunford on May 1, 1975. Nora and Steve were married on Nov. 12, 1977, in Lake Tahoe, NV, and Steve became stepfather to 7-year-old John Robert Dunford. On July 25, 1976, Steve and Nora welcomed another son, Joseph Maurice. On Nov. 28, 1978 another son was born, Nicholas Marion.
The family built a home in Estacada, OR, in 1981 where Steve enjoyed coaching little league and tending to his small heard of cows. Nora enjoyed working with their horses and riding in local shows.
The family moved to Gresham in 1987 where the boys completed high school. Steve worked as a Project Manager and Nora as a Surgical Assistant. Steve continued to coach his boys in little league, enjoyed spending time with his dogs, the local athletic club, and occasional trout fishing.
Steve and Nora moved to Lapine, OR, in 1997 where they built a house on the Little Deschutes River. It was here that Steve renewed his relationship with Christ and his journey in Christianity was reborn.
The family returned to Vancouver, WA, in 2001 near their native home of Portland where they lived until 2019. Steve attended Crossroads Church, shared a legacy in the construction industry with his youngest son and was a mentor to many in his sharing of Christianity in both community volunteer and mission works.
In Fall 2019 Steve was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer attributed to his exposure in Vietnam.
Steve grandfathered Jimmy, Gabriel, Aaliyah, Declan and Hannah who was raised by her grandparents in Vancouver. Steve cherished his time with great-granddaughter Sophie Gray Mareno, child of Hannah.
Steve built Nora a home in Prineville, OR, in 2019 where he died at his home on Jan. 20, 2022. Steve attended Calvary Chapel, enjoyed watching sports, his grandchildren, and working on his property.
He is survived by his sister, Carla; and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and others who he loved dearly.
Steve’s final resting place will be Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. A celebration of life service will be held in his honor at Crossroads Church in Vancouver, WA, on Friday, March 11, at 1 p.m.
He will be remembered, loved, and missed by so many he touched throughout his life.
Until we meet again -

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