Amuel Hilliard was the youngest of seven children born to James and Violet Hilliard in San Antonio, TX on July 11, 1934. His family were prominent and well-respected members of the community and were actively involved in the Church of God.

When he was nine years old, the family from Texas to San Diego, CA where he received his early education. In his Junior year, he moved to Perris, CA and attended Perris Union High School (PUHS) where he excelled in sports: Football, Basketball, and Track & Field. After graduation in 1952, he attended college for a short time, after which he enlisted in the United States Army from which he was honorably discharged in 1955.

Amuel met the love of his life, Earline Smith in his senior year at PUHS. Four years later, they were united in holy matrimony on June 3, 1956. Their union produced five children: Rachel, Renard, Jaynene, Myron, and Bobby.

Family roots and unity were of the utmost importance to the Hilliards. The highlight of every summer were the family trips. Amuel and Earline would pile all the children into the camper/motorhome and traveled all over the United States, exploring places like the Grand Canyon, the White House, and the Statue of Liberty and making stops to visit as many relatives and friends as they could. They even ventured into Canada and of course Mexico. Part of the more extraordinary experience of the summer excursions was when the motorhome broke down. That is when the blame and finger pointing began…but so did the games, jokes and all the other fun. Those trips were truly an amazing test of faith and they were filled with many life lessons which will never be forgotten.

Amuel and Earline had a desire to visit the Holy Land so after the nest was empty, they made the trip twice with a group of friends from church visiting Rome, Italy, Jerusalem, Jordan, Switzerland, Norway, France, England, Israel, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore.

Dad Hilliard took very good care of his family, yet he was concerned about others and how he could make things better for them by buying or fixing things for them. He was that pillar of strength that caused so many to call him ‘Dad’. He truly believed “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).”

After 35 years of service, Amuel retired from the County of San Diego Department of Public Works as a Sanitation Regional Supervisor. He also served as a 33° Mason with the Isis Temple No. 102, Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Mt. Helix Lodge 1405.

After Amuel dedicated his life to Christ, he became a member of the Greater Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He later joined Faith Chapel COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Roy Dixon where he served as an Usher, a Deacon, a member of the Trustee Board, Finance Committee, and President of the Brotherhood. For the past five years he was a very active and faithful member of City of Hope International Church under the leadership of Bishop Terrell Fletcher. He had a special connection with the Brotherhood where he spent every Saturday morning in prayer and fellowship with his brothers. His love for the word never diminished and he was committed to the study and distribution of the Word of God. He was a student of Bible Study Fellowship for many years and most recently attended Beyond Sunday Academy at New Creation Church under the extraordinary tutelage of Pastor Wendell Bass.

Amuel departed this life on Friday, October 6, 2017. He now joins his father, mother, and six siblings who all preceded him in death.

Amuel leaves to cherish his memory: Earline, his loving wife and life partner of sixty-one years, six (6) children: Kennard Hilliard, Renard Hilliard, Rachel Hilliard, Jaynene (David) Portis, all of San Diego; Myron (Ramona) Hilliard, and Bobby (Jan) Hilliard of Atlanta, Georgia; adopted daughter Sarah (Ray) Carter of San Diego; Mentee Johnny (Rea) Williams of San Diego. Thirteen (13) Grandchildren: Kennard Jr, Vonya, Christine, Andrew, Daniel, Daryn, Raven, Rosalyn, Isaiah, Alex, Kendra (James), Myra, Raymond. Six (6) Great Grandchildren: Elijah, Ilias, Sarai, Blake, Presley and Joseph; many adopted sons and daughters, and a host of relatives and friends.