Eason Laglone Hilyer

EASON LAGLONE HILYER, age 83, passed away at his home in Centreville in the presence of his daughter, Debbie, son-in-law John, and their children on November 21, 2023. Born on May 1, 1940 in Homewood, AL, he lived the last two years of his life in Centreville (Bibb County), AL. He grew up in Pelham, AL where he ran wild and wide-eyed with his many cousins and friends. However, during his teen years his family moved to south Florida. It was there that he met the love of his life, Joan Torkewitz. They were married for 21 years until her untimely death in 1982. During that time, Eason and Joan raised their two daughters in Broward County. Eason also took this time to perfect his creative talents with hand-crafted, wooden Levolor  interior shutters at his business of several decades, The Shutterman. He prided himself of being chosen to install his work for many of the rich and famous of “The Gold Coast.” The highlight of his work still impressively hangs on the windows of The Florida House in Washington, D.C.

Throughout these glory days many magnificent meals were devoured after his adventures of hunting in the Everglades and deep seas with his brothers and brother-in-law, Henri. When he married his second wife, Joyce Uraco Johnson, he with her and her two children moved back to central Alabama, finally they settled in Maplesville, AL where they lived for many years before the marriage faded and the kids moved away; as kids will do. During this time of his life, Eason fine-tuned his construction talents with his venture as owner and operator of Chilton Construction. For the rest of his days, while driving with friends and family, he would point out all of the work he had done on this building or that thus leaving his mark far and wide throughout the state.

Lucky in love, Eason found another person to share his life with. He married a third time to Carol Borders Sheridan. They set their sights on Alabaster, AL where they enjoyed each other’s company for nearly twenty years. Always creative and never still, Eason kept busy collecting his treasures, traveling, and tinkering with cars or whatever suited his fancy around his shop.

Unfortunately, the last few years of Eason’s life were ravaged by dementia of the mind, body, and soul. Despite all of the horror the disease brought him, Eason never lost his easy smile and sense of humor. He never lost his ability to be affectionate, generous, and kind. He never lost his love of family and friends as we helped him during the hardest time of his life.

Eason is preceded in death by: Wife, Joan Torkewitz; Parents, Charlie Eason Hilyer and Johnnie Kathleen Oldham; Brothers, Charles Wayne Hilyer and Sheril Edward Hilyer; and Sister, Alma Joyce Cox.

He is survived by: Sister, Johnnie Clementine (Henri) Beaulieu of Calera; Half-Brother, Stephen Felton (Patsy) Hilyer of Thorsby; Daughter, Deborah (John) Tabor of Centreville; Daughter, Cheryl (Sidney) Armstrong of Clanton; Stepchildren: Bobby Johnson, Jr. and Julie (Keith) Burnett of Baldwin County, AL; 19 Grandchildren: Desiree Soriano of Calera, Edward (Shellie) Tabor of Centreville, Nathan Tabor of Centreville, Catherine Tabor of Nashville, TN, William Tabor of Roanoke, VA, David Tabor of Duncanville, Sarah and Tristan Tabor both of Centreville, Chase and Addi Burnett both of Centreville, Jo (Logan) Benson of Birmingham, Kierstan and Alex Armstrong both of Clanton, Zach and Evan Hilyer both of Clanton, Tyler Johnson, Dylan Ray Burnett, Chloe Burnett all of Baldwin County, AL, and Brianna Burnett of Las Vegas, NV; 8 Great Grandchildren: Eric, Edward “EY”, and Evan Tabor all of Calera, Ryleigh Tabor of Tuscaloosa, Noah and Jonah Benson of Birmingham, and Delilah and Aribella Burnett of Baldwin County, AL; and a slew of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, yet each cherished.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023at 2:00pm from the Chapel of Ellison Memorial Funeral Home in Clanton, AL with Rev. John Skinner officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Eason will be laid to rest in the cemetery of his forefathers at Pleasant Hill Baptist Cemetery (Blow Graveyard) in Jemison, AL.

The family would like to make special mention of John and Tristan Tabor, Chase and Addi Burnett, and Henri “Hank” Beaulieu, Jr., Henri “Hal” Beaulieu III for their effort and help regarding Eason’s care throughout the years.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com