Donald Spencer Hilyer

Donald “Elvis” Hilyer, age 76 of Dandridge, TN passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 following a brief illness.  Many in the community knew Don as Elvis—many live in houses marked by his craftsmanship. Don was the kind of man who tried to volunteer to go to Vietnam three times, but an unknown bite on his leg kept him home with us. He would later tell the story and end with “God did not want me there, so I listened on that third failed physical.” Nothing was ever considered broken or “useless” to him because there wasn’t anything he could not tinker with until it served its old purpose if not a new one. We can all use his eyes to see the world in the same way. From craftsman by trade to Elvis by night, Don’s voice stays with us all as we listen to “See See Rider” from his opening number or “How Great Thou Art” moving us in church pews. We each carry a piece of Don with us as we let the music take us to new worlds – or even to new galaxies far, far away. Don lives in his wife Cindy Hilyer; his daughter Stacy Kilgore, Tiffany Cagle, Katelynn Smith, and Charlene Garner; his grandchildren Justin Kilgore (wife Grace), Hannah Kilgore, Mason Cagle, Archer Cagle, Whitley Perry, Everett Smith, and Baby Garner-Elliott; his great-grand children Nora, Asher, and Kate Kilgore; his son-in-law Ray Kilgore, Ivan Cagel, Woodrow Smith, and Craig Elliott; and his sister Joanne Horner and Martha McCardle. Don’s son Little Paul is reunited with his father.  A celebration of life service will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, 6:00pm  at the Dandridge Full Gospel Church.  The family will greet friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.  ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE, TN www.farrarfuneralhome.com