Raymond Boyd Hillard

Raymond Boyd Hillard, Jr. "R.B." - age 83 of Strawberry Plains passed away early on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Sacred Grounds Hospice House. R.B. was a member of Paw Paw Hollow Baptist Church. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a E7 Master Sargent with the 134th Air Refueling Group (SAC) serving at the McGhee Tyson Air Force Base. R.B. had thirty years of combined military service serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the Air National Guard. R.B. was an automobile mechanic by trade. He worked for Farris Motors in Jefferson City for about nine years. He also owned R.B. Hillard's Garage and Used Cars on Asheville Highway. R.B. enjoyed NASCAR, car shows, drag racing, yard sales, and flea markets. He was always looking for anything dealing with cars and garages. He won several trophies for drag racing in his younger years. Preceded in death by parents, Raymond B. "Sonny" Hillard, Sr. and Mayme Cate Hillard; brother-in-law, Cleve Jones; beloved nephew and niece, Rocky and Tammy Jones. Survived by wife of 48 years, Mary Evelyn Foust Hillard; sisters, Tony (Dave Neal) Jones and Andrea (R.H.) Jewell; nephews, Brett Jewell, and Monte (Beverly) Jones; great nephew, Mitchell Jones; great niece, Kayleigh (Adam) Jones Glover; and great great nephew, Cooper J. Glover; special friends, Tom Coston, Charley Reeder, Fred Stansberry, Allen Denton and Deano Kootnz; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family will receive friends 2:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Bridges Funeral Home followed by the funeral service at 4:00 PM with Rev. Greg Long officiating. Family and friends will meet 9:45 AM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, for a 10:00 AM burial at East TN Veteran Cemetery-John Sevier Highway with military honors provided by East TN Veteran Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Northview Volunteer Fire Department, 4071 Douglas Dam Road, Kodak, TN 37764. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com