Meady L. Hilyer Jr.

HILYER, Colonel Meady L., Jr., 83, former Director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, died Friday, January 7, 2011, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born January 19, 1927 in Opelika, Alabama and served two years in WWII in the Navy Seabees. Col. Hilyer was employed as a Highway patrolman in 1952. After a number of years as a road trooper he transferred to the executive security for Governor George C. Wallace. He and E.C. Dothard served during Governor Wallace’s first term. He also served Governor Lurleen Wallace until her death and then served as executive security for Governor George C. Wallace until 1976. Col. Hilyer was with Governor Wallace in 1971, in Laurel, Maryland, when a would-be assassin, attempted to take Governor Wallace’s life. In 1976, Col. Hilyer was appointed as the Assistant Director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. In 1978, he was appointed Director and served in that position until 1979 when he returned to the Assistant Director’s position and served there until he retired in 1987. After retirement, Col. Hilyer, worked part time at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home until his illness. He was an avid Auburn fan and a member of the Capitol City Chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Clark Hilyer; and his parents, M.L., Sr. and Thelma Hilyer. He is survived by three daughters, Janet (Chad) Jefcoat, Montgomery, AL, Donna (Bennie) McCord, Sprague, AL, Dixie (Calvin) Tyler, Gadsden, AL; one brother, Bill (Betty) Hilyer, Opelika, AL, one sister, Wyolene Melnick, Opelika, AL; ten grandchildren, Shana (Art) Faulkner, Brandi Roberts, Amy (J.J.) Brown, Tawni Roberts, Brian McCord, Emily Tyler (Zach) Hughes, Sarah Tyler, Sloan Tyler, Will (Sherry) Jefcoat, Julie Jefcoat; and 14 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Eastern Hills Baptist Church with Dr. Larry Armstrong, Rev. Winston Brooks and George C. Wallace, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Alabama Heritage Cemetery with full honors by the Alabama Department of Public Safety Honor Guard. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2011 from 3-7 p.m. at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Alabama State Troopers. Honorary pallbearers will be George C. Wallace, Jr., Mays Jemison, Greg Dothard, Leslie Dees, Mike Jemison, George Wallace Dothard, retired Alabama State Troopers, members of Capitol City Chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and employees of Alabama Heritage Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 241411, Montgomery, AL 36124 or your favorite charity. Condolences may be expressed at

www.alabamaheritagefh.com. Alabama Heritage Directing