Vernon L Hilliard

Vernon L. Hilliard 81, left this world on June 22, 2024. He was born to Vernon Hilliard and Velma (Cramer) Hilliard on June 5, 1943, in Kansas City MO. He attended Central High School and then East High School and graduated in 1961. While in school, he met Susan Pope, the love of his life and they were married on December 9,1961. Two children were born to this union, Connie and Robert, and one granddaughter, Michaela. He worked for Helzberg mail order, Webb Belting and General Motors. First at the Leeds plant then the Parts Warehouse in Lenexa, and finally Delco Battery, retiring in 1999.

He loved racing and raced Go-carts, then he put roll bars in an old car and I believe he raced it once at Lakeside it was totaled. He then built a sportmans car with Gordon Mitchell and with Gordon as the driver, raced at Olympic, Riverside and Westline. It was fun but the car didn’t perform well with the driver and Vernon sold his half. His next love was fishing and of course we bought a bass boat. He went to Toledo Bend every year and that was my gift for our 25th wedding anniversary. He also was a bowler and several years bowled in 7 leagues in one week. He bowled three 300 games and several 299 games. He also played a lot of golf and we belonged to Victory Hills Country Club for 5 years. A bad back stopped his bowling and golfing.

He belonged to the Swope Park Masonic Lodge and Ararat Shrine. He was past president of Provost Club, Grandview Shrine Club, and Motor Escort and loved riding his turquoise Harley in parades. He severed as an Ambassador for Shrine Clubs, Assistant Director of Shrine Clubs, and Director of Shrine Clubs. He was honored by being made Shrine Club Director Emeritus. He was a member of the Order of Quetzalcoatl and served as their Camaxtli in 2008. He was made an OKET in 2009.

The last few years he looked forward to weekends because his grand dogs would come to visit. Rob usually came on Saturday with Gizmo. Vernon would have a bag of treats ready. Then on Sundays Connie, Michaela & Angel would come and Papa was ready with the treats. When it came to his grand dogs he was the treat dealer. 

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ronald Hilliard, Dennis Hilliard; and Step-Dad, Floyd Setzer. He is Survived by his wife Susan; daughter, Connie (Mark) Foster; granddaughter Michaela; son Rob (Annie) Hilliard; brother Steve Hilliard and nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the new Ararat Shrine Temple location at 499 Mo Hwy 7, Blue Springs, MO, 64015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shriners Hospital, Special Olympics Missouri or a charity dear to your heart.