Obituary for Scotty Hilliard

MR. SCOTTY LAMAR HILLIARD, age 78, of Eastman, GA, died on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, GA.

 The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Saturday, August 16. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, August 16, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Dwaine Dunn, Rev. Patrick Barnett, and Mr. Mike Pruett officiating, with interment in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Rhine, GA.

 Scotty was born on August 20, 1947, to the late Mildred Pruett Giddens and S.J. Hilliard. He graduated from Dodge County High School in 1965, and married his wife, Pat, soon after graduating. He began his career at the Helena Georgia State Patrol Post 16, as a radio operator before graduating from GSP Trooper School in Atlanta, GA. He served the Georgia State Patrol faithfully for over 34 years as a trooper at various post across the state including Helena, Manchester, Douglas, Waycross, and Madison, before returning to the Helena Post in 2001. His son, Jay, was born in 1968, while the family was living in Manchester, and his daughter, Janiese, soon followed in 1974, while the family were living in Douglas. Later in 1974, the family were on the move again, this time to Waycross. They enjoyed the eighteen years they lived in Waycross, and in 1990, Scotty and his wife moved to Eastman, GA, where he was a member of Greenlawn Baptist Church. He enjoyed walking and exercising, riding his golf cart through the neighborhood, talking with friends and neighbors, kayaking on the Ocmulgee River, and trips to Lake Blackshear with his family. Many happy memories were made on those trips. Scotty was a beloved father and grandfather, who was affectionately called “PePa” and “PaPa” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Scotty was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 30 years, Pat Erroll Hilliard, wife of 12 years, Joan Bedsole Hilliard, and his step-father, Charles Jackson Giddens.

 He is survived by his Wife of 14 years – Cindy Pittman Hilliard of Eastman, GA; Daughter – Janiese Hilliard of Eastman, GA; Son – Jay Hilliard (Marti) of Ellaville, GA; Grandchildren – Amber Steele Richards (Mike) of McRae, GA, Kyle Hilliard (Olivia) of Ellaville, GA, and Kirsten Hilliard Weeks (James) of Newnan, GA; Great-Grandchildren – Alayna Richards, Amina Foskey, Shane Foskey, Eve Richards, and Wes Weeks; Step-Children – Kristen Daniels, Kody Daniels both of Eastman, GA, and Kayci Gibbs (David) of Fitzgerald, GA; Step-Grandchildren – Abbie Sanders, Ashlyn Sanders, B.J. Gibbs, Kameron Daniels, Summer Daniels, Hunter Daniels, Timber Daniels, and Jessie Daniels; Mother-in-law – Wylene Giddens Pittman of Eastman, GA; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law – Emogene Spires (Rayford) of Haynesville, GA, Gail Willis of Atlanta, GA, Linda Carnes Webster (Chuck) of Warner Robins, GA, and Bill Pittman (Wanda) of Eastman; Several cousins and numerous friends.

 The family may be contacted at the Hilliard residence, 895 Evergreen Circle, Eastman, GA, from 5:00PM-8:00PM on Friday, August 15.