Winters Funeral Home | Kosciusko, MS

Obituary For Bennie Hilliard

On Wednesday, September 12, 2019, God sent his angels to claim his child. Bennie Lee Hilliard the son of the late Versie Lee Hilliard and the late Ernest Hilliard was born on April 28, 1946, in Kosciusko, Mississippi.

Bennie joined Christian Liberty Church at an early age. In 1964, he graduated from Tipton High School. Soon after high school graduation, Bennie joined the US Marine Corps. While in the military, he served in the Vietnam War where he was ranked as a Sergeant E5 and earned Presidential Honors.

After serving in the US Marine Corps, Bennie moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he graduated from UMASS Amherst College. In the following years, he would move to Atlanta, GA and then to Ackerman, MS, where he continued to live until God called him home.

Bennie was also known as "Ranger" because he served as a Ranger (Amphibian Recon) while in Vietnam. Bennie lived his life to the fullest. He also had a wide range of hobbies and interests. He had a love for laughter and friendship. He was a good confidant and mentor. Bennie loved reading with his daughters, especially the Harry Potter series. He loved hunting, traveling as well as devoting his time to be a part of a food ministry. He also took pride in gardening and enjoyed sharing pictures of his garden. Bennie enjoyed attending church and being dressed in his Sundays best. Bennie was true Renaissance gentleman and will be truly missed.

Bennie was married and from these unions, he was blessed with three children: Dashi Hilliard Olenja and Tara Hilliard Olenja (Dorothy) and Zaire' Hilliard (Nell). To his stepchildren; there were no "steps" You were his children. Ranger loved you with his whole heart and that is where you live; even the siblings of a sibling; he loved you all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother Laura Holmes and his wives Willie Mae Hilliard and Nell Hilliard. Left to cherish and carry his life, legacy and memory is his son: Dashi Hilliard Olenja of Columbia, SC; and his daughters Tara Hilliard Olenja of Greenville, SC and Zaire' Hilliard of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his two sisters: Earnestine Hilliard of Harrisburg, PA, Laura Howard of Brockton, MA and one brother Jerry Hilliard of Jackson, MS; his stepchildren and a host of grand and great -grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Mr. Bennie "Ben Lee" Hilliard a native of Kosciusko, MS passed away Thursday 9/12/19 in Lowndes County at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS.

PLACE OF SERVICE: CHRISTIAN LIBERTY M.B. CHURCH, KOSCIUSKO, MS

TIME OF SERVICE: FRIDAY, 9/20/2019 AT 11:00 A.M. INTERMENT: NORTH MS VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY, KILMICHAEL, MS

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