He was born February 10, 1927 on a farm outside of Neligh, NE to Frank and Magdalena Haake Hilliard. He grew up and attended school in Newman Grove, NE. He enlisted in the US Navy on February 29, 1944 and was honorably discharged May 11, 1946. Erwin returned to Nebraska as a farm hand. He married Marjorie Joerger on April 4, 1949 in Yankton, SD and worked on various farms in Madison, Wisner, Stanton and Randolph, NE.
In 1959 he moved his family to Howells, NE and worked for Risch Implement for 3 years. In 1962 he and his family moved to Hooper, NE where he worked for Kassmeier Implement until he retired in 1989. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling to see his family in Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. Gardening, yard work and reading the "Good Book" were his favorite pastimes.
Survivors include his sister, Marian Little of Port Angeles, WA, ex-wife Marjorie Hilliard of Hooper, his children Judy Hall and late husband Ron of Spring Branch, TX, Jeanette Cordes and husband Phil of Scribner, NE, Earl Hilliard and his wife Lori of Fremont, NE, Ernie Hilliard and wife Cherrie of Orange City, IA, Mary Knott and husband Rick of Berthoud, CO, Lyle Hilliard of Prague, NE, Larry Hilliard of North Bend, NE, and Rose Hilliard and husband Stacy Glasgow of Longmont, CO, 20 Grandchildren and 34 Great-Grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by son, James Hilliard, parents, Magdalena and Frank Hilliard, brothers, Ray, Kermit, Russ, Milton and Eldon Hilliard and great-granddaughter Trinity Dart.
Services will be 10am Saturday September 24 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hooper. The Rev. Damien Wee will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hooper Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be Friday from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be given to the Hooper Care Center at 400 E. Birchwood, Hooper, NE 68031 or Kindred Hospice at 847 E. 23rd Street, Fremont, NE 68025.
Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
Condolences(3)
Frances
Oxford, MI Sunday, December 18, 2016 I am so very sorry of your lose. Your Father was a great man who gave so much to his country and family. I will never forget his great big smile. He will always be remembered in my heart. My deepest sympathy. FrancesLisa & Mark Stork
Fremont, NE Monday, October 10, 2016 We are so sorry to learn if your dad's passing. What a wonderful man he was! We were the responders that lived at Stanton towers when he lived there. He parked his little pickup right next to our car. I just loved him so!Mark Joerger
St. Paul, MN Tuesday, September 20, 2016 Cousins,I am so very sorry about the loss of your Dad. There is such a hole that nothing fills when you lose your Father. Now we all have someone else in Heaven praying for all of us.
I remember his smile. He is also my Godfather. Please know that I am praying for all of you at this time...
God Bless you and May God Richly bless your Dad in Heaven.
Mark Joerger