Charles Edwin Hillyard, 95, Pattonsburg, Mo., passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 at Des Moines, Iowa veterans hospital.
He was born north of Coffey, Mo. on March 14, 1926 the son of O.C. and Lillian (House) Hillyard.
After graduating from Coffey High School, he joined the United States Navy in 1945, shortly before his 19th birthday. He served in the Pacific Theater of WWII on Landing Ship Mediums and Landing Ship Tanks. In 1947, he returned to the family farm and married Vera Rose Woollums the following year.
The couple started raising cattle, pigs, and row crops on a farm north of Pattonsburg. In 1952, they had a daughter, Leah. The family took over the original Hillyard farm in 1962, raising beef cattle and row crops. Charlie also baled hay on his land as well as that of several other surround
During the construction of I-35, he was hired by a contractor to install fence along the highway from Bethany to the Daviess County Line. This led to a job with MODOT from which he retired after 15 years. After retiring, he continued to raise beef cattle for several years.
Always social, Charlie was involved in various aspects of the community. As a member of the Heath United Methodist Church, his “yep!’ when taking bids at the harvest sale could by heard by everyone in attendance (even those outdoors). He later became of member of the United Methodist Church in Bethany and enjoyed the social events held by the church.
He participated in numerous military funerals and parades with the American Legion Post #216 in Bethany. Time with friends always included cards, dominoes, ice cream.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Chester Hillyard and sister, Maxine Davis.
Charlie leaves behind his daughter, Leah, Excelsior Springs, Mo., and grandson, Xavier Stone-Ryan, Portland, Ore., as well as one niece and three nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 26 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, Mo. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Coffey Cemetery, Coffey, Mo. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethany American Legion Post #216 in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, Mo. 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com