Dennis Hilliard

Dennis Melvin Hilliard, 60, passed away November 7, 2008 in Salem, Missouri from a massive heart attack.  

Dennis was born in Clearwater, Minnesota on September 8, 1948.  He graduated from high school in White City, Kansas in 1967. 

He was in the Army from 1969 through 1971 and served in Vietnam.  He served in the 1st Calvary Infantry Division.  He loved America and was awarded a Purple Heart during his service. 

He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on September 7, 1973.  He served in many positions including Branch President, High Priest Quorum and many other positions including working with youth.   

He married Linda Fay Wade in the Idaho Falls Temple September 7, 1974.   

Dennis attended Brigham Young University and graduated from the University of Montana in the spring of 1981. 

He started his career with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in 1981 at Ashton, Idaho.  He transferred many times over the years and moved his family to Lemmon, SD, Cuba, NM, Rolling Fork, MS, Dickinson, ND, and finally was the Forest Ranger over the Leadore Ranger District on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  He helped form the Upper Lemhi Chamber of Commerce and served as the president until he left Leadore, ID in June 2008.  Dennis retired this June and moved to Salem, MO where he planned on building up a small farmstead.  He loved to hunt, fish, and build things.   

Survivors include his wife, Linda, a daughter, TaraLyn Hilliard (Fred) Jameson, sons,  David Preston and Michael Wade Hilliard, a daughter-in-law, Veronica Anne Hilliard three grand children, Preston William, Hunter Frederick, and ShawnyLyn Jameson, mother, Mable Oien Hilliard, brothers, Steve, Marvin, Elton, Erwin, Larry, Wayne, Earl, and David two sisters, Linda Atherton, and Lorraine Larson and several nephews and nieces. 

He was preceded in death by his father Elroy Clayton Hilliard, brother-in-law Brad Solberg and sister-in-law Beth Hilliard.   

Funeral services will be held 12:00 Noon Friday, November 14, 2008 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will receive friends Friday morning 10:30am to 11:45 at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion Post 93 from Shelley.