Raymond E. Hillard

Raymond Elwood Hillard, age 87, passed away July 12, 2014, at Grand Court in Adrian. He was born in Weston, Michigan on September 16, 1926, the son of Elmer and Ethel (Plate) Hillard. Ray graduated from Sand Creek High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946. He was a radioman aboard the sub chaser SC 1272. On November 9, 1946, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Sager, and they were together for 65 years before her passing on March 22, 2012. After his discharge from the Navy, he began a career as a carpenter trainee with Carpenter and Sager, and eventually retired from supervisory role with GoCon in 1989. Besides being known for his excellent carpentry skills, Ray was a lover of sports. Ray enjoyed watching his daughter and grandchildren participate in sports at Adrian High School and Siena Heights University. He was also an avid U of M fan and held season tickets for many years, enjoying tailgating, and traveling to away games. He even donned the Maize & Blue on his walker at Grand Court. Go Blue! After his wife’s passing, Ray experienced two special trips. He travelled to Washington D.C. on an Honor Flight with other WWII veterans, accompanied by his daughter, Kim. He would always recall the little boys and girls who met him at the airport, waving the American flag and thanking him for his service. With Grand Court’s nomination, he also was honored by the Wish of a Lifetime Program and chose to tour the “Big House” in Ann Arbor where he was recognized with gifts on the 50-yard line. Ray loved living at Grand Court where the staff and residents became his extended family. While at Grand Court, Ray enjoyed Happy Hour, entertainment, church services where he enjoyed singing hymns, mealtime conversations and especially bingo. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the NRA and an active member of Loyal Order of the Moose. Ray and Betty enjoyed many years of bowling, golfing, walking at the mall, and spending time at Carillon Beach in Florida with their beloved friends and neighbors, Bea and Joe Lattuca. Ray was preceded in death by his wife and parents, infant son Mark Richard, two sisters Venus (Huyck) and Marjorie Mae, and two brothers Richard and George Hillard, brother-in-law Howard Huyck, and sisters-in-law Charlotte and Lois Hillard. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly (Joel) Steudle and three loving grandchildren, Cazzie (Stuart) Mansfield of Adrian, Allie Steudle and Brett Steudle, both of Ann Arbor, two special great-grandsons Barron and Rowen Mansfield (whom he fondly called “The Little Guys”), as well as his sister Beverly (Jim) Baldwin. Ray will always be remembered for his sense of humor and warm chuckle. Visitation will be held at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian on Monday, July 14, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. A service, officiated by Rev. Drew Hart, will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. with military rites conducted by the Annis Fint Post 1584 of the VFW. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or the Grand Court Associate Appreciation Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Raymond E. Hillard

September 16, 1926 - July 12, 2014