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1928 - 2005
WILLIAM KENNISH HILLIARD
William Kennish Hilliard was the oldest of three sons born to Leslie and Ruth Hilliard on September 30, 1928 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He and his brothers were active in scouting, all achieving the highest rank and honor of Eagle Scout. After attending Junior College, Bill graduated with a B.S. Degree in Forestry from Iowa State College. Upon graduation, Bill was drafted into the Army. Before leaving for the Philippines, he married Barbara Mae Wiggins. He was stationed aboard a ship in the Philippines where he was involved in mapping and surveying the islands. Upon his return, he accepted a position with Kirby Lumber Co. and moved to Silsbee, TX in 1954. He joined the newly established St. Johns Episcopal Church where he remained active until his death. After several years with Kirby Lumber Co, Bill joined Darrell Shine in his surveying business. He remained active in Scouting and became an Explorer Leader. Bill opened his own surveying company and later purchased Silsbee Cable TV. He rebuilt that system and combined it with Lumberton and Buna, becoming Cable Texas. An avid outdoorsman, Bill was an active member of Ducks Unlimited, chairing the annual auction & dinner many times. He was actively involved in showing dogs and served as President of the Beaumont Kennel Club. In 1986, Bill suffered the tragic loss of his son Mark. Bill & Barbara divorced in 1995. In 1995 Bill retired and met Carol Chandler, they were married on October 11, 1997. They enjoyed their retirement years together with family and friends, traveling to many cities and countries throughout the world. After a long illness and courageous battle Bill passed peacefully on August 5, 2005 with family and friends at his side.
Bill continued his father’s legacy of encouraging college education by providing the Texas Tomorrow fund to many, including all of his grandchildren and children of close friends.
Bill is survived by wife Carol Hilliard of Silsbee; daughters Leslie Mychell Nieland of Beaumont, Sherry Hancock of Pasadena, Barbie Martinez of Atascosita and Lori Weseman of Hutto; brothers Russ Hilliard of Scottsbluff, NE and Les Hilliard of Big Sky, MT; six grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Silsbee with interment to follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Services will be under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to St. Johns Episcopal Church, Bill Hilliard Memorial Education Fund, 1305 Roosevelt Drive, Silsbee, Texas 77656
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There are currently 7 condolences.
Henry & Suzanne Barfield
Thursday August 11, 2005 at
10:37 AM
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Our prayers are with the family. We will miss Bill.
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Mitch Hickman
mahickman@earthlink.net
Wednesday August 10, 2005 at
2:29 PM
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Leslie, my most sincere condolences. Your Dad will always be fondly remembered as well as your brother who shared with me the beauty of sister Village Creek. Little did I know as a young man that the advice that your Dad dispensed would later in life be profound principles to live by. Your Dad influenced me on the beauty and wonder of the Philippines; last year had an opportunity to visit and he was right the islands are breathtaking and the sunsets incredible. The Hickman family prayers are with you.
Mitch
Development Services
Clark County
Las Vegas, NV.
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Joy Collier Pittman
collierpittman@hotmail.com
Tuesday August 9, 2005 at
12:33 PM
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It was with great sadness that I learned of Bill's passing. I think back on the conversations we shared sitting at the kitchen table, watching movies in the living room and feeling totally welcomed in your home. I enjoyed going to church services occassionally on my visits. I will miss Bill and I am so glad that I had the chance to get to know him. I only wish I had a little longer to develop a more complete understanding of the Man he was. He seemed to have so many interests. For now, it seems as if the tallest tree in the forest has fallen.
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CLARE KEOWN CAMMACK
clarecammack@yahoo.com
Monday August 8, 2005 at
4:49 PM
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LESLIE, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD. I REMEMBER WHAT A GREAT SUPPORTER OF THE SWIM TEAM HE WAS. PINE HILL SWIM TEAM. I ALSO WILL NEVER FORGET HIM TAKEING KENNY AND I UP IN HIS PLANE... HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND WILL BE MISSED. MY CONDOLANCES
CLARE KEOWN CAMMACK
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Mary Ann Bower Tucker
tucker385@msn.com
Monday August 8, 2005 at
3:34 PM
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Leslie--So sorry to learn of your fathers death. I know you will miss him more than words can ever say. Lossing a father is such a hard loss, as I learned though my father's passing. May God walk with you and your family each day. Hold on to all your happy family memories, as they will be of great support to you. Will keep you in my prayers.
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Pat Richardson (Pantego, TX)
tomahawk29@earthlink.net
Sunday August 7, 2005 at
8:18 PM
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My prayers are with the family. Bill was a leader to many Scouts, myself included. I rejoice in knowing him and am grateful for the skills I acquired from Scouting. His love for his family and his church are examples for us all.
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Ray & Sharon Crump
scrump@eastex.net
Sunday August 7, 2005 at
12:50 PM
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Carol,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Even though we had met Bill only once, at your mother's funeral, he seemed to be such a nice and pleasant person to be around. Please know that you and family are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Love,
Ray & Sharon
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