Obituary of Laura A. Hilliard

Olean - Laura A. and Ward E. Hilliard     "Loving Parents & Grandparents"

            Laura A. Hilliard and Ward E. Hilliard, formerly of 1330 Brook Street, both passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018, at the Absolut Care of Allegany Nursing Home, surrounded by their loving family. On Nov. 29, 1958 they were married at St. Bonaventure Church and almost 60 years later, they passed away just 5 hours apart.

            Laura was born on Nov. 29, 1939 in Belmont and was a daughter of Harry and Mary A. Boza Huber.  She was a 1957 graduate of Olean High School.  Laura worked at McGraw Edison for abut 10 years before she and her husband purchased Don Ray's Tavern, which they operated from 1978 to 1986, when she went to work for Olean General Hospital for about 10 to 12 years.  Laura then went to work at Sister Pat's Home on South Second Street until her retirement in 2014.  She was formerly a member of the Olean Area Eagles Auxiliary where she served as president, the Olean American Legion Auxiliary where she served as president, the Bradford Veteran's of Foreign Wars, and the Bradford Marque Club.  Laura enjoyed playing euchre, but she truly loved being with and take care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

            Ward was born on July 21, 1933 in Lewis Run, PA and was a son of  Joseph and Maude L. Thompson Hilliard, Sr.  He was a 1953 graduate of Allegany High School.  Ward was drafted and served in the US Army 7th Infantry Division from May 15, 1956 to April 26, 1958 and continued to served in the US Army Reserves in the 98th Division here in Olean, for 2 more years.  He worked at the A&P for 30 years, as well as owning the Don Ray's Tavern with his wife.  Ward was a member of the Olean American Legion, the Olean Elks Club, and the Bradford Marque Club.  He enjoyed hunting, horses, pony pulls, and being outside.

            They are survived by; 2 children, William E. "Bill" (Tania) Hilliard of Allegany, and Paige A. Hilliard of Bradford, PA; 4 grandchildren, Courtney (Tim Stromecki) Hilliard, Kaylee McRae, Nicolas McRae, and Jessica Lee Campbell, 3 great grandchildren, Rebecca, Brooke, and Brandi Miller; Laura's brother, Charles Huber of Ohio; and her half sisters, Theresa Frye of Sandborn and Mary Kuchter; Ward's brother, Joseph Hilliard, Jr. of Olean and his sister, Frances Frost of Wisconsin.  They were both predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

Friends will be received at the St. Bonaventure University, Doyle Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 at 10:00 am.  The Rev. Francis DiSpigno, OFM will officiate.  Full military honor's for Ward will be accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post #892 Ritual Team.  Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery Veteran's Field of Honor.

            In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Veteran's Administration to aide Homeless Veteran's.  Arrangements under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com.