E. Richard Hilleary III, 76, of Morgantown, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024, in the Memory Care Unit at Harmony, with family by his side.
He was born January 1, 1948, in Morgantown, a son of Ernest R. Hilleary II and Anna DeVincent Hilleary Suter.
Rich was a 1966 graduate of Morgantown High, attended Potomac State College, Morgantown Business College, and completed a Master’s degree from the Delaware Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1988.
Rich’s career in finance began in the early ‘70s at CIT Financial Services in Morgantown. From there, he went to First National Bank and transitioned into his role of director of Commercial Lending Services. His career continued as First National became Huntington Bank, where he spent 29 years as vice president of Commercial Sales.
Rich was one of the founders of Centra Bank, which opened its doors in 2000, and quickly grew to be named as one of the Top Financial Services Companies in the nation. He served as senior vice president until retirement. Rich’s friendships with his Centra family and the community were vast, and he often said that he looked forward to going to the office each and every day!
Rich is survived by Sharon, his wife of 52 years. Together they had two sons: Michael and wife Tara, along with granddaughters, Madelyn and Anna Kate, of Morgantown; and Christopher, formerly of Morgantown, who now resides in Key West, Fla. Also surviving are his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Susie Feathers of Richmond Hill, Ga., along with their daughters, Jennifer (sons Anthony and AJ), and Amanda (husband Christian).
Rich was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Harold Suter; in-laws, Foster and Libby Feathers; and infant grandson, Jackson Hilleary.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Amedisys Hospice for their exceptional care of Rich and his family from the beginning to the end. Their nurses, aides, therapists, and social worker, Diana Tiberi, are truly angels on earth.
In addition, Rich’s family would like to thank the entire staff of the Memory Care Unit at Harmony. They took care of Rich in many ways and made him part of their Harmony family. They never grew tired of his requests for grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and French fries.
Rich’s many friendships, local and out-of-town, were an integral part of his life. His family will be forever grateful to his Centra family, his Tuesday Liar’s Poker lunch buddies at Mario’s Fishbowl, MHS Class of ‘66, his fellow muscle car enthusiasts, his friend, Steve, who regularly visited and supplied him with McDonald’s coffee and biscuits, his golf partners, and Reverend Bart Thompson.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 14, in McCulla Funeral Home, where visitation continues from 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday, November 15, with the Reverend Bart Thompson officiating. A private family graveside service will be held at East Oak Grove Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.McCulla.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations, in Rich’s name, may be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 5006 Mid-Atlantic Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508; or to Morgantown High School Foundation, P.O. Box 1431, Morgantown, WV 26507.
Lewy Body Dementia is a cruel disease, but always remember one of Rich’s favorite sayings, “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever!”
