Hilary Allyn Rutherford, age 86, of Coleman, died peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Hendrick Medical Center in Brownwood with his family by his side.

The family will host a visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2024, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Richard Ember and Patrick McClellan officiating. Interment will follow in the Rockwood Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street in Coleman.

Hilary was born July 21, 1937, in Whon to Tom Molton Rutherford and Ada Alline Shields Rutherford. He grew up in Whon and graduated from Santa Anna High School. Hilary married Belva Dene Heilman on March 7, 1959, in Coleman and they were married for 63 years before Belva passed away in 2022. Hilary worked for General Telephone Company for over 30 years, retiring in 1993. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Coleman Fire Department and was a devoted member of Elm Street Church of Christ. Hilary enjoyed working on his farm, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and attending rodeos. He loved his family immensely and leaves behind an amazing legacy for them to cherish.

Hilary is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Belva.

He is survived by his children, Rocky Rutherford and wife Patti of Trickham and Dena Boatright and husband Bob of Brownwood; his cherished grandchildren, Denea Thomason and husband Josh, Paige McClellan and husband Patrick, Jeremy Longbotham and wife Julia, Justin Longbotham, Jaclyn Rosales, and Janlyn Reagan and husband Matt; and twelve great-grandchildren, Joe, Truett, Abby, Kealie, Adeline, Hazel, Matthew, Caddarik, Kai, Cullen, Mercer, and Rylea. Hilary is also survived by his siblings, Thomas Ray Rutherford of Whon, Loyd Rutherford of Bangs, Patsy Smith of Abilene, and Lynda Wheeler of LaGrange.

The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in memory of Hilary be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Rutherford family by signing the virtual guestbook on Hilary’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rutherford family.