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City council celebrates retiring Goodyear fire captain

Posted 1/28/25

At the Goodyear City Council meeting on Jan. 27, the city recognized Fire Captain Ronald Lilley for his 41 years of service.

“Typically, we see people stay 20, 25, maybe 30 years, but for …

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Neighbors

City council celebrates retiring Goodyear fire captain

Posted

At the Goodyear City Council meeting on Jan. 27, the city recognized Fire Captain Ronald Lilley for his 41 years of service.

“Typically, we see people stay 20, 25, maybe 30 years, but for somebody to be here for 41 years, and to see all the change that he has seen in that time is really amazing,” said Goodyear Fire Chief Paul Luizzi.

Lilley’s career in Goodyear began in 1983 when he started working in public works “public works was the fire department during the day,” said Lilley. He was soon pulled into emergency response, and his first fire call was to a brush fire on Jack Rabbit Trail. “I fell in love with it at that point,” he said.

At the time Lilley started, Goodyear was small with only three stoplights, and firefighting was a less frequent activity. “We would probably go on a call once every couple of weeks for the most part,” Lilley said. “Now it’s constant.”

Despite the growth and the increased demands on the department, he remained committed to Goodyear. “I tested with other departments before I got full time in Goodyear, and it’s just not the same. Goodyear was where I wanted to be.”

As he plans his next chapter, he and his wife look forward to traveling in their new RV and the potential of building a new home. “My career has flown by. I can’t believe that I’m coming to the end of this thing,” he said.

During the meeting, council members and members of the Goodyear community stood and applauded Lilley’s presentation. “Humble, kind and gracious, that describes you. You’ve seen it all, and you’ve done everything. But you are humble, kind, and gracious. Thank you for your service to this city,” said Councilmember Vicki Gillis.

Lilley’s final words to the council were appreciating his time with the city and the city government’s support of him. “God’s been very good to me and the city of Goodyear has been awesome,” he said. “Goodyear is a great place to work, not just a good place, but a great place.”

Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information.

Ron Lilley, Ronald Lilley, Goodyear Fire Department, Neighbors, Retirement, Vicki Gillis, Paul Luizzi

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