Fred Arlis Hilley

It is with great sadness we announce the final flight of SMSgt Fred A. Hilley, USAF (Retired). He passed peacefully in his sleep at his home on Lost Mountain, Georgia. He was 85. Fred was born in May 1933 in Anderson, South Carolina to Willie J. Hilley and Lizzie Mae White. His brother Willie J. (Red) Hilley predeceased him.
Fred Hilley most recently served as the Senior Advisor to Rocket Kat Strategy. Fred retired from the Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base in 1973 as a Senior Master Sergeant, Management Engineering Superintendent. He served for over 21 years, with assignments in Germany, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, the Philippines, Washington, DC, and Maryland. He enlisted in the Air Force with his entire graduating class from the Anderson Boys High School during the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations.

After the Air Force, he joined industry as an Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Manager for Square D Corporation in Columbia, South Carolina. He later returned to government service as special program supervisor for the Sumter office of the South Carolina Employment Commission. Upon his retirement from the State of South Carolina he became a small business man specializing in real property management.

Fred joined the Board of Directors of SAFE Federal Credit Union in 1998, and served continuously until his death. During his tenure, the SAFE Federal Credit Union grew to over 120,000 members and more than $1 billion in assets. SAFE is the largest Midlands-based credit union with 16 branches in South Carolina. Fred was a co-founder of the Easy Street program serving senior citizens and was a champion of programs supporting young Airmen, and their families.

SMSgt Hilley served as a prior commander of the Dalzell-Shaw, South Carolina American Legion Post 175, and was a current member of the Powder Springs, Georgia Post 294. He was a past member of the Sumter, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Fred is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hillma P. Hilley, RN, of Powder Springs, Georgia. He is also survived by his older sister Willie Mae Kellam of Anderson, South Carolina. In addition Fred is survived by son Colonel Dennis F. Hilley, USAF (Retired), his wife Colonel Christine M. Wasdin, USAF (Retired), and daughter Karen M. Mathis and her husband Charles Mathis of Powder Springs, GA. He had three grandchildren, Cole Mathis (Kimberly), Jace Hilley, Chloe Hilley, and two great grandchildren, Gracelyn Hilley, and Scarlet Mathis.

A native of South Carolina, Fred is descended from a long line dedicated military professionals who have served in uniform since the Revolutionary War. He is a direct descendent of the Virginia Patriot, Thomas Hilley, a Revolutionary militiaman from Amherst County, Virginia. A devout Christian, he was a member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. Visitation will be at West Cobb Funeral Home on Tuesday at 6 PM, with a memorial service on Wednesday at 4 PM also at the West Cobb Funeral Home. A private burial with full military Honors will be at the Georgia National Cemetery at a later date.