Ralph Thomas Hilliard

  Ralph Thomas Hilliard, Jr. 88, of Streator passed away Friday, August 12, 2022 at O.S.F. St. James Medical Center in Pontiac.

  Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. 

  Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator.  Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.

  Cremation rites have been accorded.

  Born December 23, 1933 in Streator he was the son of Raph T. Hilliard Sr. and Eleanor (Henne) Hilliard.  He married Winifred “Winnie” Boyd on August 8, 1953.  She preceded him in death on August 11, 2006.

  He is survived by sons, Keith (Mary) Hilliard of Streator and Cory Hilliard of Streator; grandchildren, Diane (Andy) Simko of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Angela (Jordan) Risley of Streator, Sierra (Ean Pfeifer) Hilliard of Dwight and Luke Hilliard of Streator; great grandchildren, Britton and Chamberlyn Risley and Kayden Walls; and a sister, Diane (Rick) Micklos of Ft. Myers, Florida.

  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife and a great granddaughter, Grace Simko.

  Born and raised in Streator attended Grant School and graduated from Streator High School in the class of 1951.

  He served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956 during the Korean Conflict.

  He worked for Owens Illinois Glass Company in the Forming Department for 37 years until his retirement.

  He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Church.  He was also a member of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council # 790.

  He enjoyed fishing, gardening, tinkering around his yard and vehicles.  He and Winnie also enjoyed vacationing in Chetek, Wisconsin and Kentucky Lake through the years.

  Memorials may be directed to charity of the donor’s choice.

  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com  

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