Jim Hilliard

Jim Hilliard, age 89 of Holly Springs, MS, formerly of Greenville, MS, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, at his home in Holly Springs, MS.

Jim was born January 21, 1936, to Lee Roy Hilliard and Mary Margaret Russell Hilliard in Dodd City, TX. Jim worked with Lance Incorporated for 42 years, starting in Bonham, TX, and then moving to Greenville, MS in 1962. He retired as District Manager. Jim married the love of his life, Kay Fox, on February 2, 1975, at Jim's home in Greenville, MS. After his retirement, he opened his own moving company, Jim's Small Haul & Moving. Jim was very community-minded, having worked with the School Board at Greenville Christian School (While his children attended). He was also very active in his church life, having served as a Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville. He was also a Sunday School teacher, worked with children and youth at both Calvary Baptist and Cornerstone Baptist. He also loved participating in the jail ministry. Jim also loved the outdoors, fishing, quail hunting, yard work, coaching his girls' softball teams, and assisting with the men's prayer breakfast at church. Jim's desire was for everyone to know whom he served, "Jesus Christ," and he was found witnessing to others on many occasions.

In early life, Jim worked on the family farm, harvesting hogs for food, taking cattle to the market, sleeping on the porch at his grandfather's home, after lunch, before returning to the fields, and watching his mother make soap and hominy. Jim enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law Wayne Fry, family campfires, Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, and sitting with Kay at church.

Jim's greatest life lessons' all learned from God's Word, the meaning of faithfulness, obedience, kindness, and charity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Roy and Mary Margaret Hilliard, and sons Jerry Douglas Hilliard and Jeffery Leon Hilliard. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Kay Fox Hilliard of Holly Springs, MS, son, Jimmy Don Hilliard (Cheryl), Step daughters, Monty Kay Crosby and Elizabeth Lynn Ward (William), grandchildren; Shannon Cole, Jayson Hilliard, Joshua Hiliard, Taylor Hilliard, David Hilliard, Brandi Hilliard, Hayden Crosby, Reece Crosby, Mary Elizabeth Ward, Kathrine Ward, and Don Ross Ward, and a several great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Nelda Hilliard Fry.

Graveside service will be held at 4:30 PM Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Indianola City Cemetery, Indianola, MS. Reverend Will Cooper will officiate the service.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Hayden Crosby, Reece Crosby, Don Ross Ward, David Hilliard, and John Hilliard, and his sons-in-law Greg Crosby and William Warren.