Billie Hilliard

Billie Etta Brewer Hilliard, 84, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully at Arbor Acres Retirement Community on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.  Billie was born on December 25, 1936, in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Mildred Bailey Brewer and Roy Frank Brewer.  Billie graduated from Clemmons High School and earned a BA degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina At Greensboro (Formerly Woman’s College of The University of North Carolina).  In 1961 Billie married the Reverend Raymus Franklin Hilliard, Sr., a United Methodist Minister.  Billie and Raymus served numerous United Methodist Churches in the Western North Carolina Conference throughout their marriage.  Billie also taught elementary school in North Carolina, retiring in 1995.  In addition to her parents, Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Raymus Franklin Hilliard, Sr.; a brother, David Brewer; a son, Raymus Franklin Hilliard Jr.; and a grandson, William Benjamin Wood.  Billie is survived by one sister, Sue Brewer Van Doeren and one brother Joe Brewer (Joan); four children, Carroll Dean Hilliard (Elizabeth), Susan Hilliard, Julie Rae Hilliard Wood (Bill), and Jonathan Lee Hilliard (Tonya); seven grandchildren, Paige Hilliard, Jacqueline Hilliard, Caroline Hilliard, Hallie Hilliard, Joshua Hilliard, Lacy Wood and Sophie Wood; and a sister-in-law, Gerlinda Brewer.  Billie had a lifelong passion for sewing, crocheting, and quilting in which she enjoyed to the end. She made numerous beautiful items for family and friends through the years.  The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Arbor Acres Retirement Community for the compassionate care they provided to Mrs. Hilliard.  A service to celebrate Billie’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Bethel United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Smith and Rev. Laura Jones officiating.  Weather permitting, an outside service is being considered.  Please observe COVID-19 protocols of wearing a mask and social distancing.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  The family requests memorial gifts be contributed to Bethel United Methodist Church, 2170 Bethel Methodist Church Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Mrs. Hilliard.