Paul E. Hilliard, 62, a Lyndon resident, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

The son of Harold G. and Myrtle E. (Serfass) Hilliard, Paul was born Jan. 20, 1943, in East Stroudsburg, Pa.

A lifelong educator, he received a bachelor of arts from Millersville State University in Pennsylvania, and a master's in education from Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. He taught school in Pennsylvania; Concord, Vt.; and most recently for 23 years at Lyndon Institute. He will be remembered for the wooden boat building program that he pioneered at LI.

After retiring from LI, he became the owner/operator of a school bus, providing transportation for Burke town schoolchildren.

An avid outdoorsman, Paul loved working in the woods, snowshoeing, hiking, canoeing and traveling. He was a fine woodworker, boat builder and gentleman farmer. His enthusiasm for problem solving showed through in his creative solutions for all of his many projects. Throughout his pursuits he was first and foremost a teacher to all. His family was his greatest joy and he will be sadly missed.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Margaret "Peg" (Smith) Hilliard; children, Kim Pearsons and her husband Sam of Lyndonville, Brian Hilliard and his wife Meredith of Boston, Mass., and Kathy Hebert and her husband Tyler of Lyndonville; five grandchildren, Cheryl Willey, Chris and Caitlin Pearsons, and Elizabeth and Armand Hebert, all of Lyndonville; three sisters, Marilyn Hagley of Delta Jct., Alaska, Donna Hilliard of Santee, Calif., and Nancy Hilliard of Scot Run, Pa.; mother-in-law, Margaret "Mickey" Smith; sister-in-law, Betsy Moore and her husband Bob of Oak Creek, Wis.; and six nieces and nephews.