Hillman McCoy Herring Sr. was born in Franklin County, Alabama, on April 23, 1931, to Marvin Smith and Myrtle Lee Swinney Herring. He called it home his entire life. On March 17, 1951, he married Mildred Berryman, of Lawrence County, Alabama, in Tupelo, Mississippi. They had five children, raising four into adulthood and two grandchildren from babies as their own. He and Mildred built a home in Spruce Pine, Alabama. It was their permanent home for their entire 64 years together.
The funeral service for Mr. Herring will be today at 2 p.m. at Spruce Pine Church of Christ, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Officiating will be Joel Phillips. The family received friends at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville, Monday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
He is survived by wife of 64 years, Mildred Herring; children, Dona Herring Smith, Leta Herring, MD (Marlon Priest, MD), Hillman “Bill” Herring Jr. (Rhonda), Clay Herring (Sherry), Christian Sherrod (Timmy) and Shace Herring; grandchildren, Kendal Smith Buie (Adam), Candice Priest Link (Fielding), Whitney Priest, Mason Garrett and Hunter Garrett (Bari); great-grandchild, Valarie Garrett; brother, Billy H Herring (Charlotte); sisters, Carolyn Herring Montgomery (James) and Jan Sokolosky (Richard); several nieces and nephews; many cousins and friends including Hillman’s very best friends, Jack Fleming, Dave Reibe and Phillip and Pat Fleming; and also Midnight (dog) and Little Mama (cat).
He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Vandalea; parents, Marvin and Myrtle; in-laws, Aaron and Lou Berryman; brother-in-law, Michael Berryman; and stepmother, Ethel Stancil Herring.
Hillman was baptized into the church of Christ on June 6, 1952, (Spruce Pine, Alabama congregation). Then in 2013, he returned to the church. With the help of James Phillips, minister, Hillman followed the church faithfully until death. During the two years after his return to the church, James came every Sunday afternoon for Bible reading and communion. Hillman asked James to perform his funeral. To our sorrow, James died recently, and his son, Joel, will serve in his place.
Hillman was an Auburn University paying honorary alumni from 1951 until his death. His alumni No. 51. He was the ultimate Auburn fan following all sports, especially football. He held season tickets for football from 1951 until 1994, and he saw every game he did not attend on TV. He never once abandoned them in good times or bad.
After serving his country in the Navy, Hillman worked two years with Caterpillar Tractor Company, Peoria, Illinois. In July of 1952, he began work in the cast house of Reynolds Alloys Company, Listerhill, Alabama, and worked 41 years in the same department. During those years he also farmed, raising cattle, hogs, corn and hay, and he always added children. He was always proud of all his children and grandchildren who went to college — Northwest Junior College, Auburn, Alabama, UNA, UAB, Birmingham Southern, Alabama Medical School, VA, GA School of Law, Clemson, Mississippi State, and North Carolina — having degrees from every school!
He and Mildred bought land and built a log house in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming in 1993. They lived six months of each year there for 20 years with Hillman walking those mountains hunting and fishing. He enjoyed every minute he was there. During those years our children, extended families and many of our friends enjoyed the mountains with us. We returned to Spruce Pine, Alabama, for the winters. We will call Spruce Pine our final resting place.
The family thanks all the medical facilities, doctors and nurses for your caring treatment of Hillman during his times of need. Also, a special thanks to Kimberly Solis and the James Phillips’ family.
Pinkard Funeral Home will be directing.
