Arnold “Arnie” Hilliard, of Taylorville, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, at home surrounded by family. He now rests in heaven with his Lord and Savior.
Arnie was born on April 22, 1937, in Shelbyville, Illinois, the son of Jeff and Inez Hilliard. He married Shirley Wood on March 16, 1958, at Tower Hill Christian Church in Tower Hill, Illinois.
After graduating from Shelbyville High School in 1955, Arnie enlisted in the United States Navy on June 14, 1955, as a Shipfitter. He was proud of his military service having served primarily on the USS Randolph (CVA-15) with two Mediterranean cruises in July 1956 and July 1957. He always joked that he got one over on the Navy, having only served 3 years, 11 months and 29 days of a 4-year enlistment.
After his Navy service, he returned to Shelbyville to work at the Shelby Electric Cooperative, taking a job in the summer of 1959, where he worked as an apprentice lineman alongside his dad and brother. In 1967 he moved the family to Taylorville, Illinois where he and Shirley established deep roots. He worked for Central Illinois Public Service Company (CIPS) as a lineman from 1966 until 2002.
In the early 1970s, Arnie became a charter member of the Christian County Sheriff’s Reserve. He loved his time working with law enforcement for almost 20 years. The Sheriff’s Reserve worked alongside county deputies providing additional manpower when it was needed. He was an expert marksman who relished in his ability to normally outshoot folks who were much younger than him.
He retired from CIPS and the Sheriff’s Reserve in 1990 and began to truly enjoy what endeared him to his friends and family. He was a master craftsman who never feared taking on any project. He was a master woodworker, one of his most prized hobbies. He was well known for making everything from furniture for his children and grandchildren to very intricate Christmas ornaments for friends and acquaintances. It was not unusual for him to give these wonderful gifts to people he barely knew.
He and Shirley loved to camp in their travel trailer. For many years they would leave the harsh winter of Illinois to spend three months in central Texas. They worked for over twenty years as volunteers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers at parks in Georgetown, Texas in the winter and at Lake Shelbyville, Illinois during the summers. In 2024, they were recognized as USACOE Volunteers of the Year for the Saint Louis District.
Arnie was a mentor to many young men throughout his life. He loved teaching folks how to do woodworking or electrical work. He was a patient, hard-working man who was always happy to pass on his expertise to anyone. He loved the outdoors and nature. He was also an avid reader who loved Louis L’Amour. He read every book L’Amour ever wrote and loved visualizing what life might have been like back in the early days of our country. He was patriotic and loved the Lord.
His faith was enduring. Arnie and Shirley were members of the Taylorville Christian Church from the early 1970s establishing long-lasting friendships with so many. He spent many hours in the mid 1970s giving his time to the church during construction of the new church building which was dedicated in 1976. Later, he and his best friend, Jim Nuelle, were co-superintendents for the Vision Way Christian School. They led the project which was a culmination of so many years of giving back.
Arnie is survived by his wife Shirley, the love of his life. He is also survived by his children: Mike (Samantha) of Salado, Texas and Shelly (Jim) Curtin of Taylorville and grandchildren Olivia (Clint) Fletcher of Sherman, Illinois and Spencer Curtin of Stonington, Illinois. He was so proud of his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, Sloane and Brooks Fletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Jack Hilliard and Vivian Perryman.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and he will be interred at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois at noon on Friday, June 5, 2026.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on June 6, 2026, at Taylorville Christian Church, 1124 North Webster Street in Taylorville. A brief time of sharing of memories will take place at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Taylorville Christian Church or Vision Way Christian School, both located at 1124 North Webster Street, Taylorville, Illinois 62568.
McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
