Leonard Courtney Hizer

Mr. Hizer was born in Atlanta, GA on October 26, 1942, the son of the late Elizabeth Stroh and Leonard William Hizer. He attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Riverside Military Academy . He went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee and from John Marshall Law School. He also served in the U. S. Army.

Mr. Hizer and his wife Villa owned and operated North Georgia Distributing Company for 28 years. During this time, he served on Miller Brewing Company's Distributor Council and achieved multiple Miller Master Awards. Since retirement, he has worked with real estate commercial developments in the Atlanta area.

Locally, Mr. Hizer was involved in many civic affairs and his memberships included the Exchange Club, Heritage Holidays, Rome Hospitality Association, Coosa Country Club, Georgia Public Broadcasting Board of Rome and the Nine O'Clock Cotillion.

His passion in life was car racing and through this interest he lived and accomplished much. He was a well respected competitor setting straight line speed records for a variety of classes of cars. He attained seven land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats . Through his efforts with all of this, he was a member of many automotive groups including the Bonneville 200 MPH Club, the Southern California Timing Association, the Bonneville Nationals Inc., the San Diego Roadster Club and the East Coast Timing Association. He was a builder and collector of custom cars as well as a mentor to dozens who sought his advice and teachings on cars and motorcycles.

Courtney, as he was known to family and friends, was an avid reader of current events, history, religions and biographies. He possessed a great knowledge of music, especially r & b and blues. In college he was the correspondent for Billboard magazine. Most importantly, he gave of himself and his resources to friends and family willingly.

Survivors include his wife, the former Villa Sulzbacher, to whom he was married on July 6, 1974; a brother in law, David Sulzbacher of Rome; an aunt, Mary Jean Stroh of Franklin, Indiana and cousins John and Beth Stroh of Columbus, Indiana, Jim Stroh of Indianapolis, Indiana and Mark and Mary Stroh of Silverdale, Washington. His close friend and business partner Bobby Hogg of Atlanta , GA also survives.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Darlington School Chapel, Rome. Please share your special memory of Courtney at this service.

The family will receive friends after the service. Another memorial service will be held in August during Bonneville Speed Week.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to:

The Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia , P.O. Box 2939 , Rome , GA 30164, Save the Salt, c/o Russ Eyres, 3673 Millikin Street, San Diego, CA 92122 or Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Rd., Rome, GA 30161.