Carl E. “Speed†Hillard

August 3, 1923 - December 10, 2012

Carl E. “Speed†Hillard of Cadillac passed away Monday, December 10, 2012 at Belle Oakes Assisted Living in Lake City. He was 89. He was born August 3, 1923 in Meauwataka, to Clare and Nellie (Behrns) Hillard. On August 4, 1945 in Biloxi, Mississippi he married the former Pearl M. Walch and she preceded him in death on August 20, 2004. “Speed†graduated from Cadillac High School in 1942. After graduation he enlisted for the draft and served in the United States Army Air Corps during the World War II until the fall of 1945. He returned home to work at W.L. Norris Company until 1961 when he founded Speed Automotive. After retiring in 1993 he enjoyed spending winters in Sun City West, Arizona. He was a member of the AMVETS Post #110, where he served at post commander, The Cadillac Elks Lodge #680, where he served as exalted ruler and Michigan Automotive Parts Association where he served as president. “Speed†was also a member of Saint Ann Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Cadillac Council #1224. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Cadillac County Club. He was active with his high school class and enjoyed helping organize the reunions. He is survived by his sons, Michael (Gina) Hillard of Thomasville, NC, Patrick (Patricia Browne) Hillard of Cadillac and a daughter, Marjorie (Greg) Johnson of Chelsea, Michigan; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Bruce Hillard and two brothers, Raymond and Darwin Hillard. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday December 14, 2012 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Cadillac with Msgr. Francis Murphy as celebrant. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac. Friends may meet the family from 5-7 PM on Thursday and the rosary will be prayed at 7 PM at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. For a more lasting memorial contributions may be made to Saint Ann Catholic Church Food Pantry. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.