Hilliard Wilkie Heatherly Jr. of Saluda, NC affectionately known as “Junior” went to be in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ on April 21,2026 at Pardee Hospital after a sudden illness. Junior was born on June 4, 1943 in Henderson County NC to the late Hilliard Wilkie Heatherly Sr. and Ruby Levi Heatherly. He was preceded in death by his infant brother Charles Edison Heatherly; sister Mary Lou Bishop; brothers-in-law Larry Bishop, Bob Wilson, Donald Ward, Emmitt Jones, and Preston Mintz.
Junior is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Peggy Pace Heatherly; his son, Roger and his wife Lela; granddaughter, Cassondra Clayton; grandsons, Levi (Alicia), Anthony (Talea), Justin (Brittany), Austin (Kim), Landon, and Collin Heatherly; and great-grandkids Piper and Jesse Clayton, Thomas “Lefty”, Eva, Bristol, Rhett, Tatum “Tator”, Archer, and Keegan Heatherly; his beloved brother, Scotty Heatherly (Judy); and sisters, Geraldine Heatherly and Judy Ann Mintz; sisters-in-law, Joyce Ward and Faye Jones; his beloved, Aunt Geneva Gordon; many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Junior was a God loving Christian and was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church in Saluda, NC where he served as a Deacon for many years. Junior loved his God, family, church family, and country. He was a road scholar that graduated 6th grade, a carpenter by trade, but a backyard mechanic that could fix anything with duct tape and a screwdriver, he also liked to work in the yard.
Junior memorized the Bible and could quote verses by heart. Junior wanted everyone he knew to know Jesus and go to Heaven. His favorite KJV verses were John 3:16-17.
Special Thanks to the nurses and doctors at the ER and 3rd floor at Pardee Hospital.
A funeral service will be at 2:00pm Saturday April 25, 2026 at Grace Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow the service at Grace Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or c/o Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Hwy Hendersonville, NC 28792