Sam Lilley
Remembrance from Lydia Coles, Sam’s fiancée.
There are very few people in this world that you can fully be yourself with at all times with only love, understanding and adoration radiating from the other person. Sam and I were those people to each other. Sam was my best friend. He was the kindest and most sincere human I have ever met. I could listen to him talk about his passions forever, he was so animated that he could captivate you with his storytelling even if it was a subject that you weren’t initially interested in. His favorite thing to do was make people laugh, he genuinely wanted the people around him to be happy and would make it his mission to see that through. There are so many lovely words I can and will use to describe Sam Lilley, but for now I will leave you with this. Sam made it easy to choose him, to love and to cherish him and I will love him every day of my life.
Remembrance from Sheri Lilley, Sam’s stepmother.
Sam was seven when his father and I got married. He climbed into my lap and into my heart. He was a sweet, charming little boy who grew into a kind and mischievous young man.
In college, he once told me how lucky he felt to be invited on a trip with his fraternity brothers—he didn’t even have to pay because someone had dropped out. I told him luck had nothing to do with it. His friends simply wanted him there—he was a joy to be around.
After college, we were thrilled when he found his passion for aviation and followed in his father’s footsteps as a pilot. He was excelling in his career and truly loved flying.
With his fiancée Lydia, he became a sincere, grounded, and caring man. They were planning a wedding, dreaming of children, and building a beautiful future.
We were so looking forward to that next chapter. Sam would have been the most nurturing, devoted father. Now, we are left with a void that can never be filled.
But we hold onto our faith. We trust in God’s promises and find comfort in knowing we will see Sam again. Until then, we carry his memory in our hearts and strive to live in a way that honors him
Remembrance from Tiffany Gibson, Sam’s sister.
Samuel Lilley, known to those close to him as “Sam,” was a remarkable person. He was truly a unique and special creation, a gift from God. Sam was a beloved son, brother, fiancé, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and aviation professional. He had a huge heart and a deep love for people and animals. Sam had an infectious personality that lit up rooms when he walked in them, and he could always be counted on to bring the fun. It was pretty much impossible to be in or stay in a bad mood when you were with Sam. He wanted everyone to be included, have a good time, and feel loved and heard. This was evident in every one of his relationships. From lightening the mood with a “terrible” and ill-timed joke to sitting down to share a meal and talk about life plans, dreams, or fears, Sam was always there for the people in his life. He meant so much to so many and impacted countless lives, yet he never even knew it because he was simply being “Sam.” He absolutely adored animals of every kind. If Sam came to your house or ran into you while out and about, you could bet he was going straight to your pet to offer some love and get some in return. He could often be found taking a walk with his and his fiancée’s dog, Leia—or cuddling with Leia or their cat, Hallie. Sam was a dearly loved and cherished brother who is now missed tremendously. From our long talks about life during car rides home from a trip to our texts and chats about the Alabama football season to sharing meals and ice cream at our favorite ice cream place in Savannah, his absence is deeply and painfully felt daily. He was a wonderful “funcle” to his two nephews and niece, who loved chatting and playing card games with him. They miss him terribly. Sam will be remembered as someone who loved hard, cared deeply, and lived life to the fullest. We could all aim to be a little more like him, and I will live the rest of my life remembering his warm smile, his heartfelt hugs, sharing stories about him, and trying to live a little more like he did—generously and joyfully. Until we see you again in the loving arms of God, our Father, Fly High, Sam!
Remembrance from Josh Lilley, Sam’s brother.
Sam Lilley was known for his infectious smile, kind heart, sense of humor, and professionalism. He was said to have brought professionalism, dedication, and humanity to flying. He loved his fiancée Lydia dearly and was looking forward to marrying her this fall. Sam cared for others deeply and strived to have a positive impact on those who surrounded him. His positivity was infectious and lead him to lead a very full life.
“Some people say you can’t make a living by doing something you love. But are you really living by not doing it.” -Sam Lilley