Ronnie Hillard, 77, of Cadiz, passed away at his home in Cadiz on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Ronnie L. Hillard was born April 1, 1946, at his family home in Livermore, Kentucky, to the late Ollie Estil “Ted” and Mary Gilmore Hillard and was married to the former Gwendolyn Mae Shemwell on March 7, 1999.
Ronnie was known for his mischievous sense of humor and made family, friends, and even strangers laugh with ease. When he was not making those around him erupt with laughter, he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, history, archaeology, his beloved pet cats, and his grandchildren. Ronnie was a member of Livermore General Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Army National Guard, where he received several awards for his excellence in marksmanship.
Ronnie had careers in hotel and restaurant management, retired from Big Rivers Electric, and owned a HVAC filter business in both Kentucky and North Carolina. He lived on the beach in North Carolina with his wife, Gwen, for 20 years before returning to his native state of Kentucky to be closer to his family. Ronnie will be most remembered for his charming, jokester spirit as well as the love and care he showed for his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by two sisters, Rita Mae Hillard Willis and Shirley Hillard Langston.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Gwen Hillard; a daughter, Cherri Collignon (Keith) of Sadieville, Kentucky; a stepson, Jeff Priest (Misti) of Marion, Kentucky; a stepdaughter, Amy Wallace (Damon) of Fordsville; six grandchildren, Chase Collignon (Hailey), Kacey Chapman (Cory), Baylee Priest, Kaden Wallace (Sophie), Maelynn Wallace, and Jayci Wallace; two great grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Hillard Leach of Owensboro; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel with his son-in-law, the Rev. Keith Collignon officiating. Friends may visit with Ronnie’s family from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Musters in Livermore.
The Ronnie Hillard family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Oak Hill Cemetery, Perpetual Care Fund; C/O Independence Bank; P.O. Box 39; Livermore, Kentucky 42352.
