OBITUARY

On December 29, 2023, Jerry L. Hilliard Sr. was granted his wings to be with the Lord. Jerry was born in Richmond, Virginia on April 20, 1948, to the late Robert and Betty Greene Hilliard. Jerry was predeceased by his great-granddaughters, Naomi Renn Whitaker and Scylla Virginia Hilliard.

Jerry started his education in the Richmond public school system but felt the call to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps. Jerry received his GED from Onslow County School system while stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. While in the Marine Corps, Jerry served two tours in the Vietnam Campaign where he received two Purple Hearts. During his time in the Marines, one of his proudest moments was the day he graduated from Drill Instructor School in 1975. This moment was captured in time while he held his son Jerry (Little Joe) in his arms wearing his little matchingMarine Corps uniform. Jerry served foreleven years, receiving an Honorable discharge from the United States Marines on October 7, 1976. He went on to attend TCC – Portsmouth where he received two associate degrees, one in Auto Mechanics and the other in Auto Body Repair. He completed an apprenticeship for pipefitting at Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a nuclear pipefitter. However, due to amedical condition, he went to work in non-nuclear pipe shop fifty-six, from which he retired on January 1, 2016. He loved his work and the travel he did with his Tiger Team family in the Shipyard. His last job was as an overnight stock man at Lowe’s in Portsmouth, where he was known as “Mr. Jerry”.

Jerry met his soulmate Irma when he went to help a friend move her and her sister to a new apartment. He only saw her from behind as she was packing a box but said to himself, “I am going to marry that woman and grow old with her”, and on March 19, 1972, they started their journey. God blessed them with Fifty-one golden years together and in their union, they were blessed with three sons and a daughter, fourteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Together they were able to build an empire that will live on to tell his stories, capture his love, and pass on his traditions.

Jerry’s Christian journey started at Community Presbyterian Church when he joined under the leadership of Rev. James Ramshaw in 1979. He was the president of the men’s organization from 1980-1982 and during this time the men’s group formed a basketball team that competed with other churches in Portsmouth. They only won two games the whole season, but they enjoyed the coming together of Christian men. Like Jesus, Jerry was a Carpenter. His love for wood and working with his hands led him to make several items for the church. As you look around our church you can see his handiwork, from the narthex all the way to the pool pit. He also made boxes for our raised garden outside the church to feed the community. Other accomplishments at Community Presbyterian Church included singing in the gospel choir and the inspirational choir. In January of 2016 Jerry was ordained as a Deacon and served diligently on the Deacon board. As a Deacon he enjoyed going to Bells Nursing Home, singing to the residents and authoring poems for them on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. In January 2018 he was installed as a trustee for the church. During this time, he worked on items in the daycare and around the church that needed fixing. Jerry loved to talk to the older women, telling them how beautiful they looked every Sunday he was in church and, giving them a hug to make them feel good. He also helped with feeding the homeless from 2019 until his health started failing in November 2023. He loved talking to the men about God and about where they could get a job, encouraging them to do better. One of the homeless men took his advice, got himself sober, applied for a job in the shipyard, and was hired. Jerry is a part of the foundation that will truly be missed by his church family.

Jerry leaves to remember him the love of his life Irma K. Hilliard; three sons: Michael A. Hilliard (Sandra) of Louisville, KY, Jerry L. Hilliard II of Eden, NC, and Robert E.K. Hilliard (Jessie) of Fairfax Station,VA; daughter Elaine Billingsley (Calvin) of Chesapeake, VA; eleven grandsons: Jonathan, Nathan, and Kornell, of Louisville, KY, Davante Whitaker(Kiara) of Buffalo, NY, Jerry Hilliard III of Eden, NC, Robert Q. Hilliard of Virginia Beach VA, Edward K. Hilliard (Samatha) of Chesapeake, VA, Brayden and Jaxon Hilliard of Fairfax Station, VA, and Calvin Kim-Billingsley and Alexander L. Billingsley of Chesapeake, VA; three granddaughters: Angelic Amar of Danville, VA. Katiana Hilliard of Suffolk, VA, and Angel Hilliard-Billingsley of Carrollton, VA; and fourteen great-grandchildren including five great-granddaughters and nine great-grandsons. He also leaves five brothers: Robert B. of Charleston SC, Larry (Cecelia) N. of Chesterfield, VA, Donald (Denesa) Providence Forge, VA, Ray of Richmond, VA, and Alexander AJ (Sandra) of Copperas Cove, TX; three sisters: Gail Smithof Waldorf, MD, Bettie Fuewell of Richmond, VA, and Mary D. Samaniego (Simon) of South Carolina; and a host of nieces and nephews, godchildren, and friends. Joe Perry was one of his best friends from his time at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. We will all miss him, but God needed him in heaven and called him home to rest.