James Franklin Hilliard, 90, passed away Feb. 26, 2020, at Almost Home, Inc., Great Bend. He was born July 23, 1929, in Fredonia, to Walter and Catherine (Pizel) Hilliard. Jim married Darlene Grace Nusser Dec. 28, 1952 at Montezuma. Darlene died August 10, 2005.
Jim, a Great Bend resident, was raised in Copeland, and while attending Southwestern University in Winfield, he joined the USAF. He and his wife also resided for some time in various stateside as well as overseas locations during his USAF career. After serving 26 years as a USAF pilot he retired at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs. Following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1973, earning the rank of Major, he and his family then moved to the Radium area in 1974. Jim found a career in carpentry, working for Harper Construction and Marlette Homes, both of Great Bend. He and his wife retired to Gilbert, Ariz. in 1992. After nine years he and his wife moved to Haysville in 2001. In 2017 Jim then moved back to Great Bend where he resided until his passing.
Serving during both Vietnam and Korean Wars, Jim’s military higher level awards and decorations included the Air Force Combat Readiness as well as Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, and USAF Military Command Pilot Wings. Jim was a qualified pilot and instructor, flying and training on an extensive number of aircrafts
Jim was proud of his entire military service, but there were some assignments he was particularly proud of. While stationed at Travis AFB in California, his primary duty for five years was returning soldiers who had given their all back home to their loved ones. Jim was also an active member of The Ranch Hands, a very select group of never more than 2,500 men who were assigned to remove enemy cover.
He was a member of the Wichita Arts Society. James was a passionate gemologist and part owner of an opal mine in Australia. He was a world traveler, having visited over 53 countries during his military career and civilian life.
Survivors include, a son Mark Hilliard and wife Allisa of Derby; a daughter, Joanne Wondra and husband Steve of Great Bend; eight grandchildren, Kurtis Hilliard and wife Kendra, Misty Smith and husband Adam, Mandi Kuehn, James Keenan, Sean Keenan, Ryan Wondra, Hannan Wondra and Nicholas Wondra; five great grandchildren, Quinton Smith, Carter Smith, Kason Hilliard, Kyler Hilliard and Kooper Hilliard. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Darlene Hilliard; a sister Sonya Dunham; and a grandson, Thomas Keenan.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. Morita Truman presiding. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with Military Honors conducted by McConnell Air Force Honor Guard. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, March 2, 2020 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Family Crisis Center, Inc. or Almost Home, Inc., in care of Bryant Funeral Home.