Anthony Earl Hilliard

Anthony Earl Hilliard was born on March 17, 1958, to Laura Ann and Vernon Edward Hilliard, Sr., in Oxford, Mississippi. It was in Oxford where he confessed the Lord as his Savior and joined Burns United Methodist Church.

Earl received his education through the Oxford School District, earning his high school diploma in 1976. Shortly after high school, he met and married Carolyn Vaughn, of Oxford, Mississippi, and together they raised three girls, LaTonya, Tina, and Dansheryl and one son, his namesake, Anthony Earl “AJ” Hilliard, Jr.

After graduation, Earl pursued a career in manufacturing. For over 20 years, he worked at the now-defunct sawmill, Plywood (later Georgia Pacific) in Oxford, Mississippi, and later he worked on the assembly line of Borg Warner in Water Valley MS, where he retired. When he was away from work, Earl would unwind near a lake to fish, or near his record player to spin his many LPs and 45s, or he would go out on the town to sport his hefty collection of fedoras and newsboy caps. When he was a young man, he’d gather his kids so they could see him play softball with his community team, the Spiritz. Earl later coached the Mustangs, who won a championship under his leadership.

On June 9, 2025, Earl died in his home in Water Valley, Mississippi. As Earl’s favorite gospel song was “When the Gates Swing Open,” we imagine that song playing in his mind as he transitioned. Preceding him in death: his father: Vernon Edward Hilliard, Sr.; two brothers: Vernon Edward “Squeaky” Hilliard, Jr., and James Stephon Hilliard; and one sister-in-law, Lavern Hilliard.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his mother: Laura Ann Hilliard Cancer and his step-father, James Cancer, both of Oxford, Mississippi: three daughters: LaTonya Vaughn and Dansheryl Hilliard, of Oxford, Mississippi, and Tina (Johnnie) Austin, of Southaven, Mississippi; one son, Anthony Earl Hilliard, Jr., of Oxford, Mississippi; 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; three brothers: Hugh Hilliard, of Abbeville. Mississippi, and William (Lisa) Hilliard and Darin Hilliard, both of Oxford Mississippi; five sisters: Cynthia (Robert) Lawson, of Tracy, California; Beverly (Melvin) Barnes, of Memphis, Tennessee; Lisa Ann Hilliard, Willette Hilliard, and Rhonda (Elliott) Miller, all of Oxford Mississippi; one aunt: Cora B. Campbell of Oxford, Mississippi; one uncle: Adolph Hilliard of Cleveland, Mississippi and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and a very special friend, Christina Bolden, of Water Valley, Mississippi.

Please keep the Hilliard family lifted in prayer