Major General Lilley was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1954 after completing Officer Candidate School. He retired after serving in the Army for 32 years, a veteran of two tours in Vietnam, along with multiple assignments across the United States and Germany. His final assignment was Commanding General, Ft. Eustis, VA. Decorations include: Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Master Army Aviation Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge and many others. After his military career, Lilley served as the Director, Systems Planning/International Marketing for Kaman Aerospace Corp. at their Crystal City, VA office.