James M. Hilliard

HILLIARD, JAMES M. James M. Hilliard, age 82, of Woodway died Monday, August 4, 2003 at a local hospital. Services will be held at 10am Wednesday, August 6 at Columbus Ave. Baptist Church with Dr. Bruce Cresson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8pm Tuesday, August 5 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. James Milton Hilliard was born on July 16, 1921 near Rosebud, Texas, the son of James Milton Hilliard, Sr. and Eula Hilliard. He graduated as valedictorian of Rosebud High School at age 15 and two years later began putting himself through Baylor University. He graduated from Baylor in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force he instructed fighter pilots and later flew eight hour combat missions to Japan from Iwo Jima. He was discharged in 1945 as a Captain and was awarded the APO Ribbon, two battle stars and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1943, he married Elizabeth J. Peters, the love of his life for the next 60 years. They returned to Waco where he was employed by L. L. Sams. In 1960, he co-founded Imperial Woodworks, Inc., custom manufacturers of fine church furniture, in Waco with partners Guy Ahearn and Ernest Strange, and later George Crow. He directed the growth of the business through several locations to its present address at 7201 Mars Drive. He was actively involved in the business for the remainder of his life and was Chairman of the Board and C.E.O. at the time of his death. He and his wife were members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years, and he was a Deacon and Trustee there. Survivors include wife, Elizabeth Hilliard of Waco; daughters, Kaye Hilliard Smith and husband, Stephen of Waco and Suzanne Hilliard Ming and husband, Buddy of Hewitt; son, Dan Craig Hilliard and wife, Julie of Georgetown; grandchildren, Kimberly Smith Back and husband, Ryan of Hewitt, Kevin Mark Smith of Lorena, Melanie Robin Smith of Waco, Zachary Ross McFarlen of Tyler, and Emily Marie McFarlen of Austin; sisters, Grace Clark of Harker Heights, Florence Knutzen of Dallas, and Ann Kelly of Belton. Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice or American Cancer Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY