Harold Marcus Hilliard, 91, of Webster Groves passed away September 14th at Laclede Groves Hospice. He was born December 29, 1928 in Wilmore, Kentucky. His father, Harold M Hilliard Sr, was a professor at Asbury Seminary, and his mother, Pearl Walker Hilliard, was a homemaker. Harold had an older sister Mildred and a younger brother Gerald.

With his father being a minister, Harold experienced frequent moves and exposures to different cultures, races, and environments. By his high school years, he had lived in 8 different parts of the country. Harold was sixteen, in the middle of his junior year in high school when the family moved to Puerto Rico where he took solid geometry in Spanish. The family decided he would finish high school in Odessa, Texas. There he lived alone in a garage apartment where he learned to be more self-sufficient. For college, Harold graduated from Texas Tech with BS and BA degrees in chemistry. His fondest memories always included good friends.

For most of the next 15 years, Harold alternated between working in industry and attending college. He received a Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from Stanford University and a Ph D in Analytic Chemistry from the University of Arizona. He worked for Phillips Petroleum, and Conoco. From 1972 – 1994 when he retired, Harold worked for the Tretolite division of Petrolite Corporation in various research, technical service, and technical liaison capacities, focusing on corrosion and environmental matters. He was active in several professional organizations, and traveled to production facilities in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

What gave Harold the greatest joy was meeting and marrying Carol Kingelin in 1970. They enjoyed 50 years of putting each other’s needs above their own. They were the perfect couple! They enjoyed wildlife and nature, and fed the many birds and animals in their bird and animal sanctuary on Hart Ave. They saw wonder around them and marveled at beauty. They were avid St Louis Cardinals fans and enjoyed attending the St Louis Symphony, the St Louis Speakers Series, as well as the many activities at Laclede Groves Retirement Center.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald. He is survived by his wife Carol, his sister Mildred Boyd, nieces Cindy Lochridge, Cherry Bedenkop, Cassie Weir, and Maurene Russell, as well as brother-in-law Rick ( Kay ) Kingelin, and sister-in-law Mary Kingelin. There was be a private burial at Grace Hill Cemetery, Perry, Oklahoma.

Harold will be remembered for his dry wit, his incredible intelligence and humble nature, his kindness to all, and his generous, giving spirit. He truly never met a stranger, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.