James Ernest “Ernie” Hillard, 77, of Berea, passed away on March 30, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital-Berea.
Born on Dec. 16, 1948, in Berea, Kentucky, Ernest was the son of the late Byron and Dale Hillard. A proud graduate of Berea College, he went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgia State University. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years after being drafted during the Vietnam War era.
Following his military service, Ernest began his long entrepreneurial journey by operating a small convenience store in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his uncles. This experience launched a successful 50-year career as a serial entrepreneur. Together with his wife, Rita, whom he married on November 22, 1974, Ernest owned and operated multiple businesses, many of which became staples in the Berea area for decades. Some of his notable ventures included Middletown Mall, Middletown Industrial, Middletown Composites, and Middletown Metal Works. Ernest was a former member of the Central Bank Advisory Board for Madison County.
The couple shared 51 years of marriage and built a devoted family through their hard work and partnership. Ernest is survived by his loving wife, Rita Davis Hillard of Berea; two sons, James Byron “J.B.” Hillard of Lexington and George Matthew “Matt” Hillard of Berea; five grandchildren, Hannah (Blake) White of Eagle River, Alaska, Emma (Jordan) Hillard of Paris, Matthew Hillard and Logan Hillard of Berea, and Hudson Hillard of Lexington; two great-grandchildren, Frankie White and Drew White of Eagle River, Alaska; his sisters, Tish Hillard, Susie Hillard, and Margaret (Charles) Zoellers, all of London,; his brothers-in-law, Jim (Patty) Davis and Rick (Linda) Davis, both of Berea,, Joe Schenkenfelder of London, KY, and his sister-in-law, Jan Bennet of Berea; his special caregiver: Linda Hays; and many nieces and nephews who will also mourn his passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Dale Hillard, his sister, Carol Schenkenfelder, his brother-in-law, David Bennet, and his parents-in-law, Merle and George Davis, Jr. of Berea.
Ernest will be remembered as a soft-spoken, kind, hard-working, and highly intelligent man, whose impact on the community was profound. He loved his work and his employees, taking the responsibility of their livelihoods very seriously. Over the years, he enjoyed bass fishing, flying as a private pilot, and playing golf.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, 328 West Main Street, Richmond with Pastor Chris Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in the Berea, Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Matthew Hillard, Logan Hillard, Luke McCowan, Seth McCowan, Ryan Bennett, Robbie Davis, Jackson Zoellars and Chase Bullock
Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Chowning, Jimmy Wagers, Tony Cunagin, Tommy Simpson, Rodney Short and Bill Hall.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to a charity of your choice.
