Donna Elizabeth Hilliard

Donna Elizabeth Hilliard, age 77 of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away on December 6th 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. Donna was born in Layland, West Virginia to George W. Karnes and Virginia Ruth Karnes (Romanuk) on October 17, 1942. Donna was briefly married to William David Holliday Jr after graduating high school and they had a son William David Holliday III. Donna then moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as a telephone operator for AT&T. While working in Washington, Donna met Fred A. Hilliard and they relocated to Keene, New Hampshire. They were married for 28 years until Fred's death in 1993. After briefly working at Douglas Toy Company, Donna began a very successful professional career at National Grange Mutual Insurance Company. Donna worked for many years as the Premium Accounting Manager and was very proud to have held the most senior female position in the company at the time of her early retirement. Donna was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In retirement Donna spent a couple of years in Trinidad before settling in South Florida. Donna enjoyed playing tennis, golf and reading historical novels. Donna was an accomplished pianist and played often at church over the years. Donna's Christian faith was always an important part of her life as she had a great passion for reading the Bible and learning about the history of religions. Donna is preceded in death by her father and mother George and Virginia Ruth Karnes; her first husband William David Holliday, Jr; her second husband Fred A. Hilliard. Donna is survived by her son William David Holliday III and his wife Missy of Moyock, North Carolina; daughter Alicia Gartelmann and her husband Reid of Boynton Beach, FL; daughter Cheryl Rooney and her husband Robert of Keene, NH; sister Willa Dunn-Williams of Bradenton, FL; sister Barbara Wade and her husband Richard of Wellington, FL; seven grandchildren: Kyle Sandberg, William Holliday IV, Steven Holliday, Jeremy Holliday, Kayla Rooney, Sarah Rooney, Roman Gartelmann; and three great grandchildren: Isaac Sandberg, Noah Sandberg, Ayva Holliday. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Grace Fellowship in West Palm Beach, FL on Thursday December 12th at 4pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).