Jim Lillard - Class of 1945

Jim Lillard was born to James and Vesta Lillard on August 27, 1927 in Licking, Missouri. His family then moved to Carlin, Nevada and a few years later to Sparks. At Sparks High School he was an honor roll student, a forward on the basketball team, and a running back on the football team. After Graduation in 1945, he decided to serve his country and joined the Navy. When he returned home, he married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Browning. They had two children, Tina and Jimmy Lillard.

His career included being a City of Sparks firefighter, a successful insurance agent, and owner of a furniture store. His community service involvement was as a board member on the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Chairman of the Washoe Health System, President of the Nevada League of Cities, Mayor of the City of Sparks, County Commissioner, as well as involvement in the creation of Wild Creek Golf course, the Reno Livestock Events Center and the Sparks Senior Citizens Center. As mayor he started an appreciation dinner for the City of Sparks workers. In addition, he was involved in both the dedication of the Bi-centennial Park near Victorian Avenue and establishing our Twin City, Longford, Ireland.

Though Jim died in May of 1991, his legacy will remain always in the hearts of his friends and family.

Inducted 2005