NASHVILLE, TN (BNc) — Donnie Ray Hilliard, 64, went peacefully to be with the Lord on October 8, 2014. He was preceded in death by his father, Benedict Hilliard. He leaves behind his loving wife of 35 years, Sherrie (McFarlin) Hilliard; son, David Ray Hilliard; daughter, Sarah Roberts (Alan); grandson, Wells Ray Roberts; Mother, Sarah Grace McTaggart; brother, Barry Hilliard; sister, Carol (Hilliard) Cederdahl.

Donnie was born on July 23, 1950 and graduated from Richmond Academy in Augusta, Georgia in 1968. Donnie attended Alabama Christian College and completed his Bachelor’s degree at Alabama Christian School of Religion. He received a Master’s degree from Troy State University and earned his PhD in Family Studies at the University of Alabama in 1997.

Donnie has been a part time minister for the church of Christ and a full time professor at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama where he taught Marriage & Family and Bible. He performed pre-marital counselling for over three hundred couples.

Books Donnie Hilliard has authored include “Upon that Rock I Stand,” “Magnificent Marriage,” and a workbook for college students, “Getting it Right the First Time.”

Donnie was an inspiration to all he met and had a loving and generous heart continually giving to other.

Services will be held Friday, October 17, 2014, at University Church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama, at 2:00 pm. Entombment will be a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cloverdale Center for Family Strengths at Faulkner University, 5345 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, Alabama 36109. EASTLAND FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, NASHVILLE, TN (615) 227-9558

Glenda Williams

As a teenage girl, I prayed to marry a preacher. I knew no one who was desiring to be a preacher but each night I knelt by my bed and prayed, “Lord, if I am capable of being a preacher’s wife I would like to marry a preacher. If not, just let me marry a Christian.” God answered that prayer for me. Our local preacher, Jerry Humphries, preached in two gospel meetings that summer and invited a young man from Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University) to preach in his absence. He brought his girlfriend with him so that took him out of the running. But when I learned they were coming back in a week or so, I asked if they didn’t have some fine young man they could bring down and let me meet. The girl thought for a minute, snapped her fingers and said, “Old Doug.” Old Doug and I have been married 53 years and have two children and two grandchildren. All our children are faithful members of the church. God is so good. I love Him so.