Funeral services for Robert Gill (Bobby) Lilly, 79, of Belzoni, will be at 2:00 pm Friday, May 15, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Belzoni. The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until the 2:00 pm service. Burial will follow in Belzoni City Cemetery under the direction of Burton Funeral Home, Indianola. Reverend George Johnson and Dr. Billy McKay will officiate. Mr. Lilly died Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at his home.

As Jesus promised, "whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." We know that he is celebrating in Heaven today. Bobby was born January 6, 1936 in Belzoni. He graduated from Charleston High School where he played football, ran track, and played baseball. He attended Northwest Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He served four years in the United States Air Force and retired after 30 years from Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks as Wildlife Supervisor.

He was an avid duck hunter and Ole Miss fan as his Dad had played football, baseball, and ran track at Ole Miss. A lover of animals as well as birds, he rescued many stray animals. He loved his four dogs, Toby, Sugar, Rascal, Ms Bully, and Tinkerbelle, the cat….all rescue animals. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited. Bobby was a member of First Baptist Church, Belzoni, where he was a member of the Men's Bible Class and the Chancel Choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sale and Margaret Lilly and his sister Helen.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Jo, who was the love of his life. They were married 51 years. Also, survivors include his daughters, Mary Margaret Temple (Steve) of Madison and Melanie Ann Murphey (Mike) of Clarksdale; brothers, Sale Lilly, Jr. (Evelyn) of Farmhaven and Tom Lilly (Connie) of Oxford; four grandchildren whom he dearly loved, Morgan Murphey, Mason Murphey, Lilly Temple, and Evan Temple; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Box 654, Belzoni, MS 39038, or B.A.R.K., Box 1015, Belzoni, MS 39038.

Online condolences may be shared at www.burtonfuneralhome.net