Sunday, July 26, 2026 ☀️ 90°F Ruskin, FL

← Obituaries

Marilyn Hilliard

– May 31, 2015

Marilyn Hilliard
Marilyn Hilliard

Marilyn Betty (Zeitler) Hilliard, 91, passed away on May 31, 2015, in Sun City Center, Fla.  Daughter of Alden Zeitler and Marie Thompson, Marilyn was a 1941 graduate of Punxsutawney High School.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Thomas R. Hilliard; her companion of five years, Harold O’Neal; oldest son Robert A. Hilliard; brother Richard A. Zeitler; and sister Joanne Mitchell.

A former resident of Butler, Pa., Marilyn was a shift supervisor in the shell inspection section of Pullman Standard during World War II. Subsequently, she excelled in a wide variety of jobs, from Isaly’s Dairy to a hat shop to GNC to Poe Insurance.

Called Marilyn by some and Betty by others, she always enjoyed learning new creative things — such as stained glass art, calligraphy and stepping stones (to name but a few). She loved playing bridge with her buddies, going to dances and parties, hearing or telling a good joke, and having a stiff drink.

Marilyn will be missed by daughter Leona M. Hilliard of Sun City Center; son Thomas H. Hilliard of Butler; son David A. Hilliard of Cleveland, Ohio;, grandsons Noah Hilliard of Charleston, S.C., and Nathan Hilliard of Butler; great-granddaughter Susan Hilliard of Butler; and many dear friends.

A memorial celebration is planned for November 15, 2015, in Sun City Center, so that her friends can celebrate a wonderful and interesting life.