Thomas Ben Hilliard Sr.

Mr. Thomas Ben Hilliard, Sr., 84, a resident of Jamestown and former resident of Greensboro died Wednesday morning January 1, 2014 at the Hospice Home of High Point. Mr. Hilliard was born December 14, 1929 in Greensboro, the son of Samuel Marcus and Elizabeth Phoebe Pence Hilliard. A 32nd Degree Mason, he was a member of Gate City Lodge 0694 AF & AM. He was also a Shriner, member of the Oasis Temple and was a member of the Scottish and York Rite. In his younger years, he served as elder for Meadowside Church, Presbyterian Church of the Cross and Crestwood Presbyterian Church where he devoted his life to spiritual leadership and at the time of his death he was a member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church. He retired from Carolina Steel after 44 years of service where he was a Senior Cost Estimator.

Mr. Hilliard was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Baxter, Mack, Norman, Charlie, Robert and George Hilliard and two sisters, Mary Rachel H. Vernon and Margaret H. Whitfield.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia Cameron Hilliard of the home; one daughter, Sharon Hilliard Beeson and husband Clark of Jamestown; one son, Thomas Ben Hilliard, Jr. of Winston-Salem; one sister, Louise Hilliard Jarrett of Randleman and two grandchildren, Erin Beeson Micciche and husband Mike, and Michael Ryan Beeson and wife Emily.

His greatest love in life was his family, including his four grandpuppies. His other passions included watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, coffee time on weekends, working in his yard, dancing, horses, traveling and his dinner group. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a wonderful story teller and comedian. He never met a stranger.

A Service to Celebrate Mr. Hilliard’s Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5th at the Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home Sedgefield Chapel conducted by the Reverend Dr. Jay D. Smith with Masonic Rites given by Gate City Lodge 0694 AF & AM. Interment will follow in Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the residence.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Mr. Hilliard’s memory to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1802 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262, the local ASPCA of your choice or to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr., Greensboro, NC 27407.