WSTR News

Christopher David Lilly- 1983- 2026

Christopher David Lilly, 42, passed away Sunday, September 19, 2026 in Pie Town, New Mexico. He was born December 29, 1983 and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is the son of Curtis Lee Lilly and Debra Kay Welch Lilly and had three younger siblings, Travis, Tyrel, and Kathryn.

Chris grew up playing football, baseball and team roping. He attended New Mexico State University and was on the NMSU Rodeo Team. After college he joined the Troy Shelley Roping Production team traveling the country roping and helping with the production of USTRC and World Series Team Roping.

He married Tawana McPhaul from Pie Town, New Mexico where they raised their two girls, Tessa and Brynlee. Chris was an avid and skilled hunter. He spent his life guiding and hunting and took his hunting very seriously. He was extremely dedicated and attentive to his hunters. He was a big part of Mangus Outfitters for many years while also managing Sawtooth Shadows Ranch. Predator hunting was a passion as well as competitive long-range shooting. He excelled at competitions and won prestigious titles such as Texas Hand Calling.

Chris was a dedicated father and husband who took great care of his girls and a true family man. He was constantly hauling them to rodeos and attending all their activities, being their number one fan. He spent numerous days with the family and extended family roping, ranching and playing cards. Along with helping Atwood Roping Productions during the summers. He thoroughly enjoyed ranching and had built a herd of his own. In the words of his girls, "he babied his cows". bChris will be forever missed by his friends and family.

Chris is survived by his wife, Tawana Lilly, daughters Tessa and Brynlee Lilly, father, Curtis Lilly, mother, Debra Welch Lilly, brothers, Travis (Cary) Lilly, Tyrel (Nicole) Lilly, sister, Kathryn (Body) Lucero, and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Kathyrn Welch, Bob Lilly and Margaret Lilly.