Thurman Palmer Hilliard

Thurman P. Hilliard HILLSBOROUGH- Thurman Palmer Hilliard, 85, of Davis Road, died Monday, March 21, 2022 at his home. Born March 24, 1936 in Vance County, he was the son of the late Ida Wynne Hilliard and Palmer Lee Hilliard. Thurman was retired from Duke University where he was an engineer and operations manager. He was a veteran of the United States Army and of the Methodist faith. He enjoyed working on and riding his tractors, fishing on Kerr Lake, and was known for helping his friends and family. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of J.M. White Funeral Home by Rev. Will Breedlove. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens. Thurman is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Dunn Hilliard of the home; his devoted son, Milton Palmer Hilliard and wife, Christie of Hillsborough; two loving granddaughters, Emily and Becca; his sisters, Ruby Cifers and Peggy Nickels and husband, David, all of Kittrell; four brothers, Arthur Hilliard, Lawrence Hilliard, Robert Hilliard and wife, Betty, and Tom Hilliard and wife, Diane, all of Henderson; his special friends, Felcie and Wilton Short of Henderson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Rosa Hilliard, Elsie Hilliard and Alice H. Weaver; and a brother, Fred Hilliard. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Friday from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at J.M. White Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Donald Weaver, Charlie Brown, Michael Cifers, Jr., William Weaver, Brian Woodlief, Lawrence Hilliard, Jr. and Lee Short. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Camp Carefree (275 Carefree Ln, Stokesdale, NC 27357), a camp for children with special needs, which is near and dear to the Hilliard Family. The family would like to give special thanks to the Duke Oncology team for their loving care and support, especially Dr. Jeffrey Crawford, Dr. Karman Mahmood, PA Susan Blackwell and Nurse Mallorie.