Hilliard Andrew “Hilly” Fulgham, age 96, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8 at Morgan Chapel Baptist Church with Reverends Brandon Powell and Trevor Fulgham officiating. Visitation will be at the church on the day of the service from 2 p.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow in Morgan Chapel Cemetery.
Hilly was born January 9, 1928, to Ollie and Jenny Coleman Fulgham. He was a member of Morgan Chapel Baptist Church. After serving 35 years, Hilly retired as a Master Sargeant from the United States Air Force where he had a stellar career. During his career, he was awarded five Air Medals and four Meritorious Service Medals among many other awards. For example, on August 15, 1985, he received a Letter of Commendation for assisting the United States Coast Guard in the rescue of seven crewmen lost at sea during a hurricane. He was a member of the 815th Weather Reconnaissance Service as a hurricane hunter. He flew a C-130 airplane for more than 10,00 hours and into at least 75 hurricanes as a part of the group known as “The Flying Jennies.” After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and farming, where he raised both cattle and horses. He and Joy loved to square dance and were members of the Jolly Squares square dancing group. They also enjoyed road trips throughout the United States and Mexico. Hilly was very competitive in sports and games, which he enjoyed playing with his family. He did not let anything interfere with his time to play dominoes with his buddies who were known as the “Morgantown Mafia.”
Hilly is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Joy Child Fulgham of Sturgis; and his children: Cathy Fulgham Green (Billy); Dawn Fulgham Vickers (Kim); Leonda Fulgham Morgan (Jamie) all of Sturgis; and Hilliard “Hilly” Fulgham, II of Granite, Oklahoma. One of his greatest joys was being “Pappy” to his 16 grandchildren: Jennifer Green; Neshay (Blake) Daniels, Tia (Daniel) Parker, Larkin (Jared) Daniels, Kimberlin Christopher, Trystun (Luke) Wilson, Sackett (Mary Grayson) Vickers, Nashlynn Vickers, Jessica Morgan (Wayne) Scarbrough, Hanna Morgan (Brent) Telano, James “Tyler” (Jordan) Morgan, “Tripp” (Skyler) Fulgham, Trevor (Tiffany) Fulgham, Keally Fulgham (James) Thomas, “Shay” Fulgham, and Hillaree Fulgham. He is also survived by 31 great-grandchildren: Amanda Joy (Landon) McMinn, Blakely Reese Daniels, Knox Daniels, Hardy Kate Daniels, Ellis James Parker, Demi Mac Parker, Griffin Daniels, Fletcher Daniels, Mary Rivers Daniels, Anderson Christopher, Beckett Wilson, Makenzie Scarbrough, Presley Scarbrough, Avery Scarbrough, Adalynn “Addy” Scarbrough, Britlee Telano, Brennan Marshall Telano, Lowry Morgan, Maddox Morgan, Rush Morgan, Lilla Fulgham, Sophie Fulgham, Jett Fulgham, Jolie Fulgham, Deklan Fulgham, Briggs Fulgham, Vaylor Fulgham, Carter Thomas, Camden Thomas, Collin Thomas, Grayson Pettit, and he was looking forward to the birth of Damon Elinburg; and two great-great-grandchildren: Aidan McMinn and Axel McMinn, while also awaiting the birth of Saylor Jane McMinn. He also leaves behind loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and many friends. Hilly was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Mandi Green; his parents, and brother, James Thomas “Jimmy T.” Fulgham.
Serving as pallbearers are Tripp Fulgham, Tyler Morgan, Trevor Fulgham, Sackett Vickers, Casey Morgan, Bud Gillis, and Timmy Shaw. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in honor of Hilly be given to Morgan Chapel Baptist Church Building Fund or the Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 157, Sturgis, MS 39769.
The Fulgham family would like to express their appreciation to all their family and friends for the prayers, love, and support through this hard season of their lives.
Services are under the direction of Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.masseyfuneralhome.net.
