Lu Hilliard Obituary

Georgia Luella “Lu” Hilliard went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on June 28, 2023, after a life abundantly lived. She was born June 18, 1930, in Shiloh, Arkansas, the youngest of three children of O. D. and Gretta (Beasley) Stark. After their family moved to Richmond, California, Lu graduated from Richmond High School and Providence College of Nursing. Her brother-in-law introduced her to Bob Hilliard, a soft-spoken WWII Army Air Corps lieutenant and chemical engineer, and on Sept. 2, 1950, Bob and Lu began their strong and loving marriage anchored in their shared faith in Christ.

Lu was a perfect partner to Bob, supporting him in his career, keeping their growing household running smoothly, and helping nurture their family in an environment of faith. From California their path took them to Arkansas and finally to settle in the Tri-Cities, where their three sons and three daughters were raised. Lu delighted in her family and even more so as grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along.

Lu used her gift of hospitality well; church visitors were often spontaneously invited home to share a Sunday meal. Visiting missionaries were also welcomed, as eventually were many college friends of the Hilliard kids. Lu’s interest in others helped her make friends wherever they lived. She was great at making the large family get-togethers fun, and started many Hilliard family traditions. Cribbage was something she and Bob enjoyed teaching to grandkids; she was competitive in their running battle over the championship, with daily games almost all their 70 married years.

After Bob’s retirement from Hanford in 1987, they enjoyed many years of exploring the US in their RV, “Bob-A-Lu,” with trips sometimes including a grandchild. After an epic journey to Alaska was made, Lu and Bob were drawn to go back more times, even to stay for over a year helping at North Pole Baptist Church. They sold their beloved Kennewick home and moved to Packwood in 1992; they loved the quiet beauty around their Tatoosh Cabin, as well as many new dear friends.

Bob and Lu were active church members while they were able, at Richland Baptist, Kennewick Baptist  and Quinault Baptist Churches, in Packwood and Randle, returning to Richland Baptist when they came back to the Tri-Cities in 2017. Lu loved studying God’s Word was very involved in Bible Study Fellowship for many years as a discussion leader. The whole family knew they could rely on the faithful prayers Lu and Bob prayed for them during their daily devotional times. Although Lu came to her faith as a child and Bob as an adult, they delighted together in loving Christ and making Him known to others. They were especially thankful that their children all love and serve the Lord.

Lu felt her purpose had been to care for Bob; after his death in 2021 life lost some of its joy for her. Even as she was burdened with more physical pain, she still enjoyed having family and friends around her, and found ways to encourage others. Sometimes this was through remembered Bible or hymn verses; a phrase she often said was “This too shall pass.” Lu moved with her dog Lily to Parkview Estates Assisted Living in early 2023; she was under the loving care of her family and hospice when she passed away. We look forward to seeing her again in heaven. Lu was a very special lady, and will be greatly missed by her children, Dave (Naomi) Hilliard, Laura (Mike) Mackey, Cindi (Mike) Evens, Barb (Paul) Wattenburger, Dan (Kathy) Hilliard, Jim (Wendy) Hilliard, her 17 grandchildren and their spouses, 33 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter, by nephews and nieces, and by many friends, especially her faithful friend, Lila Rieper.

A small graveside service will be at Packwood Evergreen Cemetery July 10, with a memorial at 4:30 pm on August 14, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church in Richland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Samaritan’s Purse or other worthy charities. The family would like to express appreciation to Parkview Estates, Heartlink Hospice, and the many friends who showed love to Lu in these last weeks.