Rodney Hoyt Lillard, 53, of Morgantown, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
He was born in Charlottesville, Va., on Sept. 6, 1966, the son of Lois Snow and the late Russell Curtis Lillard Sr., of Morgantown.
Rodney (Rod) grew up in the Suncrest area and, in 1980, became a Mohigan at Morgantown High School, where he shined as a star athlete in football and baseball.
Upon graduating from Morgantown High School in 1984, Rod began studying journalism at West Virginia University. He enjoyed working as a journalist at The Daily Athenaeum, WVU’s student newspaper, during his time in college. Rod graduated from WVU in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he began working full-time for his family business, Superior Industrial Laundries, Inc., now in Fairmont, where he proudly made his living for 31 years, alongside his brother and father.
On June 3, 1989, Rod married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Christine (Christy) Lee Mayfield, of Morgantown. Together, they raised their four children, Lacey Nicole, Blake Evan, Owen Brandt and Perry Andrew.
Rod was a faithful and devoted family man who was most proud of his wife and four children. He was a passionate writer, sports fan, pool player, fisherman and lover of the outdoors — particularly, spending time at his family’s cabin in the woods of West Virginia. He knew no strangers and will be remembered for his outgoing, witty, caring, funny personality.
Rod was preceded in death by his father, Russell Curtis Lillard Sr. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Christy; his daughter, Lacey, and son-in-law, Andrew; son, Blake, and daughter-in-law, Allison; sons, Owen and Perry; mother, Lois; brother, Russell Jr., sister-in-law, Sarah, nieces, Katie and Kelsey, and nephew, Russell III (Curtis); sister, Raegan, and brother-in-law, Phillip, and nieces, Camille, Leah, Rachael and Ava.
All are invited to visit Rod’s family at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, 10 S High St., Morgantown, WV 26501, 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, and starting at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, until the funeral service begins at noon with the Rev. Randall Flanagan officiating. The burial ceremony will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, 1290 Fairmont Road, Morgantown, WV 26501.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Rod to Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 N High St., Morgantown, WV 26505, or the American Cancer Society, 122 S High St., Morgantown, WV 26501.
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
