Gerald “Jerry” Ray Hilyard, 59, of Advance, N.C., and formerly of El Dorado, died on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, N.C. As his courageous battle with cancer came to an end, he was surrounded by his family.

Born on Aug. 12, 1950, in El Dorado, he was he son of Ray Arthur and Betty Ann Hilyard. He spent the majority of his life there. Jerry graduated from El Dorado High School in 1968 and attended Henderson State University.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sandra Fogg Hilyard, of Advance; daughters Jennifer Mitchell (Marcus) of El Dorado and Jessica Brown (Josh) of Charleston, S.C.; one grandson, Hutton Stahl Mitchell of El Dorado; and one brother, Tom Hilyard (Janette) of Dallas; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a member of First Baptist Church. On weekends Jerry enjoyed golf and hiking. He managed to get a hole in one despite his “unique” golf swing. The “Hikers” enjoyed hiking the Ozark Trail together. Many of the stories are still untold as “what happened on the trail, stayed on the trail.”

He will be remembered by his family as a wonderful husband, father, friend, handyman and personal GPS. 

A memorial service will be held on at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at First Baptist Church in El Dorado with a visitation following at the church. Memorials may be made to the Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103; or to First Baptist Church, 200 W. Main, El Dorado, AR 71730. 

A guest registry is available at www.hayworth-miller.com on the Internet