James Francis Hilliard died on July 20, 2016.
He was born Jan. 14, 1924, in Chattanooga, to Mary K. Robbins and James Francis Hilliard Sr.
James graduated from Tyner High School and The College of American Traffic and Transportation. He was a member of Tyner Methodist Church for over 50 years. James was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Alhambra Shrine Temple and East Lake Masonic Lodge #698 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was also a Kentucky Colonel and a member of Delta Nu Alpha American Transportation Fraternity. He served in the US Maritime Service and the US Army Transport Corp during World War II.
His wife of 66 years, Kathleen Royse Hilliard, preceded James in death.
He is survived by his son, James Everett Hilliard, of Saint Petersburg, Fl., his daughter Lynn Hobbs Williams and husband Jerry Williams of St. Petersburg, Fl., his grandson, Jason Hobbs and wife Melody Hobbs, great-grandson, Turner Hobbs, and great-granddaughter, Kinsey Hobbs, all of Knoxville, and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, James F Hilliard Sr. and Mary K Hilliard, brother, Sim Hilliard, sisters, Virgie Belk, Ruth Foster and Lorena and Billie Jean.
As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather family and friends will miss him.
A gaveside funeral service will be held at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Chattanooga, Tn., on Tuesday, July 26, at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tyner United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.