Well-respected Roswell resident Frank A. Lilley, 71, died May 13 in Lubbock, Texas, after an extended battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Lilley and his wife Jolene (Waggoner) were married for 53 years and were fixtures in the Roswell community for most of that time.
The Lilleys moved to Lubbock in 2022 and built their dream home, which Frank enjoyed until his illness progressed. They joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church, which they had visited often while spending time with family in Lubbock.
Other family members who live in Lubbock include son Matt (Danielle), grandchildren Brock, Macie Woodson (Jake), Madi Ortiz (Jake) and their children Olivia and Grayson; sister Ann Jaramillo (Mike), nephew Jason (Michelle) and their children Austin, Mackenzie and Madison.
In Lubbock, Lilley became an avid Texas Tech sports fan, and an enthusiastic supporter of the younger Lilleys’ involvement in baseball, track, basketball, cross country, gymnastics, dance and scholastic endeavors.
Lilley was best known for his decades of involvement in youth sports in Roswell and throughout southeast New Mexico. He coached his four sons’ baseball teams from 1980-93, leading two teams to Little League state championships. He continued coaching other youth teams, including those with his children and nephews on the roster, until 2009. He also officiated high school and junior college basketball and football games across southeast New Mexico and West Texas for almost 40 years, becoming famous (and infamous) in that realm.
A graduate of Roswell Goddard High School, Lilley earned his degree from New Mexico State University in 1976, the second of eight siblings to hold an NMSU degree. In Roswell, he built a successful career as a life and health insurance agent and financial advisor. He started as an agent for Lincoln Financial, and for the last 30 years of his 40-year career ran the independent Lilley Financial Services. He was a certified LUTCF advisor.
Lilley was born in Roswell on October 9, 1954, to Jim and Pat Lilley. In addition to his Lubbock family, Lilley is survived by sons Marc (Lisa) of Scottsdale, AZ; Tim (Tashina) of Parker, CO; and Scott of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Henry, Lucas and MiKaylie; siblings Joe (Sue), Michael (Diane), Chris (Jerra), Tom (Cathy), Dan (Lisa), Monica Reynolds (Chris) and Kay, as well as brother-in-law Will Waggoner (Cecille), and 85 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, granddaughter Brianna, brother Jess (Bernadine) and parents-in-law (Dick and Lynn Waggoner).
Lilley was humble and never sought recognition or awards. He simply did what he loved – caring for his family, sharing with friends and making his community a better place. Lilley was devoted to his faith and family. His faith sustained him through familial tragedies, including the near fatal wounding of his son during the Iraq war, and deepened his compassion and generosity.
Lilley also embraced the Lilley family’s values of hard work and exercise. He started working in the family yard-mowing business at age 10 and never stopped working and volunteering for the next 50 years. As a lifelong athlete, he played rec and church league softball and basketball for years; his seven years with the Schrimsher Brothers softball team was a highlight. He exercised daily for decades – including at the local TruFit and Falls Tennis and Athletic Club — and completed the Bataan Memorial Death March seven times.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.
The Lilley family gives special thanks to caretakers Amaya, Teresa, Helene, Dena, and others from Visiting Angels and Interim Hospice of Lubbock for their assistance to the Lilley patriarch and his family during his illness.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 24, at 10 a.m. in Lubbock at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, followed by a luncheon in the Parish Hall. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Roswell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org/donate) or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org/donation).
Posted online on May 17, 2026
Published in Lubbock Avalanche-Journal