WALES — Leroy M. Hilliard, 88, a lifelong resident of Wales, passed away March 18.

Known to many as “Red,” he was born in Turner, Dec. 5, 1924, the son of Leroy and Lena Hilliard. In 1944, he entered the Army as a front line machine gunner, serving under the 334th Rail Splitters 84th Infantry Division during World War II. He served in the European Theatre, including the Battle of the Bulge and on the front lines in England, France, Belgium, Austria and eventually Germany, where his division was instrumental in freeing prisoners from concentration camps. For his heroic efforts during the war, he was presented many awards and medals, including two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.

Red loved farming and upon returning from the war he worked with his father on the family dairy farm. In November 1946, he married Mary Emery of West Gardiner. Together they took over the farm and raised four children, all the while expanding the size of the land and buildings. His love for farming and cattle was evident to all who knew him. He was a dairy farmer for more than 50 years and his hard work and determination helped grow “Hilliard Farms” to a large dairy business.

Milking registered Holstein cattle they shipped thousands of pounds of milk daily to local processors, receiving many awards for high production and quality. In his later years, he enjoyed going to cattle auctions, raising calves and working the fields on his tractor during the haying season.

He will be sadly missed and leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Mary Hilliard of Wales; two sons, Leroy “Sonny” Hilliard and his wife, Kathy, of Livermore and Charles Hilliard and his wife, Cathy, of Wales; two daughters, Sharon Gregory and her husband, Tim, of Jay and Paula Foss of Wales; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Phyllis Kinny of West Gardiner and Shirley Michaud of Winthrop.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, Francis Hilliard and Leonard “Blackie” Hilliard.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Marshwood Living Center for the loving care and attention Red received from them.