Jack (Ovid Cecil) Hilliard Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jack (Ovid Cecil) Hilliard, of Murfreesboro, TN died peacefully at home February 9, 2017. He was 91 years old. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty Ruth Hilliard and two daughters, Kim Bouchillon (Lynn) of Cumming, GA and Trudy Collins (Rick) of Murfreesboro, TN. He is survived by granddaughters, Marissa Bouchillon of Cumming, GA, Morgan Bouchillon of Macon, GA, Brooke Travis (Danny) and Blair Akers (Chuck) all of Murfreesboro, TN. Jack is survived by four great granchildren, Layne and Nori Akers and James Everett and Collins Travis. He was preceded in death by his father, Ovid Hilliard, mother, Saydee Hilliard Armstrong, stepfather, O. M. Armstrong, and stepbrothers, Gerald and Boyd Armstrong, all of Jackson, TN. Jack was born on August 5, 1925 and attended College Street School in Jackson, TN where he met his two best friends, Bill Gregory and Buford Matlock. In 1943 he graduated from Jackson High where he played football, basketball and ran track. That year he entered the Navy and served from 1943-1946 as a radioman for both a subchaser and a joint Navy/Marine task force. Jack graduated from Union University where he played football and met Betty Ruth Walker and married her in 1948. After graduation he was a teacher/basketball coach at Malesus and coached football at Jackson Junior before becoming sports editor of The Jackson Sun for 17 years. Jack was an account executive with J. C. Bradford, Dean Witter and retired from Merrill Lynch. Jack was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Jackson TN where he served three times as Deacon Chairman and was Deacon Emeritus. He was a past member of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He was a well loved Sunday School teacher and mentor to many young married couples. Jack wrote the History of the First Baptist Church 1837-1987, and he narrated many church productions. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, playing golf and bridge, reading, and writing. A funeral is scheduled for 2:30 Friday, February 17 at First Baptist Church, Jackson, TN with visitation preceding from 1:00-2:00. There will be a private burial at Ridgecrest Cemetery. Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway 668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com