Lionell Aubrey Hilliard was born Sunday, December 10, 1944 in Houston, Texas, becoming the third child and youngest son to the family of Reverend John and Laura Hilliard.  A fourth child, Edith Marie, would round out the Hilliard clan, which also included his older siblings, John Evelyn and Paul Lawrence.  Growing up in their household, Lionell and his brother and sisters had a regular regimen of biblical teachings from their parents.  Naturally, the siblings learned the Gospel quickly and found Christ at an early age.

Lionell attended Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, Texas, where he was Captain of the ROTC, as well as a member of the track team, competing in the 100 yard dash and mile relay.  He was also a charter member of “The Role Models,” later renamed “The Gents,” a young men’s organization dedicated to the principles of good citizenship, high moral standards and high academic achievement.  Lionell graduated with his Diploma in 1962.

Lionell enrolled at Bay Ridge Christian College in Kendleton, Texas.  While there, he joined the men’s gospel quartet, which included Percy Lewis, who would later become his brother-in-law, marrying his older sister, Evelyn.  The singers would travel to various venues, spreading the Gospel through their ministry of singing.  A regular delegate of the Hallettsville Camp Meeting, Lionell also served as Vice President, with his good friend, President Robert Pettit, for the Texas State Youth Convention.

In 1961, a single momentous event took place, taking Lionell completely by storm.  But we’re not talking about Hurricane Carla.  No, Lionell had encountered another tempest… Virginia McAfee of East End Church of God in San Antonio, Texas, who, only months earlier blew in to camp meeting like a quiet storm and stole Lionell’s heart in the process.  Later that year, the State Youth convention would be held (where else?) in San Antonio, of course.  Lionell and Virginia would have their first date while attending the convention’s banquet together.  Four years later, on Saturday, June 12, 1965, the couple were wed in Holy Matrimony.

From this union, three children were born; two sons, Lionell Jr. “Aubrey” and John Donovan; and his pride and joy, a daughter, Kanita Rochelle.  Lionell worked at Reed Tool Company from 1966 through his retirement in 2007.  He, then, re-entered the work force in 2011 as a Security Guard for both Champion and Homeland Security Services.

Lionell was a hard worker, but he played just as hard.  A proud owner of a Honda CB 750 Four series, he once rode with the King Cobras, a motorcycle riders and social club organization.  When CB radios popularized in the 1980s, he purchased one, then another and, before long, the familiar baritone voice with the handle, "Bucking Bronco," became notorious over the airwaves.  His witty sense of humor (whether filtered or not) was appreciated by all who experienced his joke-telling.  An avid firearm enthusiast and owner of an impressive arsenal of home protection devices, Lionell advocated for gun owners’ rights and encouraged those he knew and loved to become properly trained and licensed carriers.  Lionell absolutely loved life and his family.

Lionell was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother and sister, Evelyn.  He leaves to mourn his loving wife, Virginia, his two sons, Lionell Jr. “Aubrey” and John Donovan; his daughter, Kanita Rochelle (Kyle); his eight grandchildren, Aaron (Latarvia), Virniecia, John Jr. “John John,” Johnathan, Kayla, Brandon, Sean and Nia; his sister, E. Marie; his aunt, Alaska Prince, two great-grandchildren, four bonus-grandchildren, numerous in-laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends