On September 26, 2025, Marylee Hilyer received her wings. She was born on September 1, 1943, in Baltimore, MD, to Donald E. and Lelia Mae Tillery (nee Boudreaux) and settled into a large, loving extended family, proud of their Nicaraguan heritage. She worked for the C&P Telephone Co. in customer service, and transferred to AT&T in 1988 as a manager in Northern Virginia. It was there she met the love of her life, Robert “Bobby” E. Hilyer. Married in 1989, they began a wonderful adventure following his job assignments overseas, living in Latvia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. They retired to Dothan, Alabama to live out their golden years.

Marylee was a devout Christian and spent much time immersed in her Bible. She was passionate about babies and animals, and had numerous pets during her lifetime, her last being her beloved Bitsy.

She is survived by her children Donald Vincent Ziegler (Kristie) and Lisa Ziegler Miner (Bob), sisters Michele Kopchinski and Christina Brewer, and grandchildren Valerie Scheulen (Rob), Samantha Ziegler, Rebecca Miner and Caroline Miner, along with special friends Jerry and Marty Tadlock, Judie Robinson and numerous extended family members. She is predeceased by her parents and husband.

Services and internment will be held in Maryland at a later date.