Lillian 'Lila' Boss

Lillian "Lila" Beatrice Boss, 76, passed away June 16, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Thermopolis on December 2, 1939, she was the daughter of Jake and Mary (Mullendore) Elliott. After growing up in Thermopolis the traveling bug struck and she moved to Sacramento, Calif., where she lived with her sister, Leona. Those times were always a fond memory for her.

Sacramento was also where Lila met her future husband, Raymond "Ray" Boss, who was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. The couple married April 11, 1970, in Reno, Nev., and moved to Wichita, Kan. After four years there, where both their daughter and son were born, and after a brief stay in Altus, Okla., Lila and Ray received orders to their dream location, Alaska.

North Pole, Alaska, was one of Lila's favorite places offering many adventures and making many friends. An artist from childhood, Lila enjoyed a successful art career there. The beauty of Alaska and its animals created a love of wildlife art that inspired much of her work. The couple spent 16 years in Alaska, with a brief break in the middle for three years in Kansas.

In 1995, Lila and Ray moved to Thermopolis to be closer to family. Lila spent the last 21 years reconnecting with childhood friends and family. Some of her greatest joys were spending time with her grandchildren and luncheons with her childhood classmates. She worked for Julia's Rentals until the last couple weeks of her life and found a life-long friend and "adopted" daughter in Julia Schleusner.

She is survived by her brother, Larry Elliott of Buffalo, Wyo .; daughter, Erin Welty of Cody; son, Lee Boss of Thermopolis; grandsons, Cody and Tanner Boss of Thermopolis; granddaughter, Tessa Whipple of Cody; several beloved nieces and nephews; her little dog, Tank; and many, many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; brothers, Duane and Jake Elliott; and sister, Leona Elliott.

A Celebration of her Life will be Sunday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at Julia's Rental, across from McDonalds.

In Lila's memory, donations may be made to Relay for Life, c/o Kim Enis, 521 Amoretti, Thermopolis, 82443. Mortimore Funeral Home assisted the family.  Online memories may be expressed at http://www.mortfh.com.