Hilliard Pace Burt

Hilliard Pace Burt, 97, of Albany, Georgia passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5th, 2024. He was called to his eternal home and ushered by the angels into God’s presence.

Hilliard was a deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Born in Albany, Georgia on September 25, 1926. He was the son of Walter Holton Burt, Sr. and Julia Pace Burt. 

Hilliard was a 1943 graduate of Albany High School which embraced eleven grades. He attended Baylor Military Academy near Chattanooga and graduated in 1944. While at Baylor, he played varsity football, basketball and was number one on the tennis team. He and his tennis partner won the Mid-South Doubles Championship.

Shortly following graduation, Hilliard attended Georgia Tech where he was a member of the varsity tennis team and a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Prior to his eighteenth birthday, he volunteered and joined the Army Air Force as a cadet. When called, he was sent to Ft. McPherson and later transferred to Kessler Air Base. While in training, the war in Europe had ended and later the Japanese surrendered. He was sent to Amherst College. After completing his assignment, he was sent to Ft. Benning for the infantry weapons course, which he completed, and received an honorable discharge.

Shortly thereafter, he entered the sophomore class at the University of Georgia majoring in political science and a minor in business. While at the University, he was a member of the varsity tennis team and in his last year was captain and number one on the team. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, President of Political Science Club, member of “X” Club and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Hilliard was accepted for advance ROTC and received a commission as second lieutenant in the infantry after training at Ft. Benning. After completing his undergraduate studies, he entered the University of Georgia Law School, where he became President of Phi Delta Phi Scholastic Society. He passed the GA Bar after his junior year in Law School. Upon graduation from Law School, with a LLB degree in 1951, he immediately became a member of the American Bar Association and started his practice of law. He later became a junior partner in the law firm of Burt & Burt. The senior partner was his father, W.H. Burt.

Hilliard was President of Albany Bar Association and served several terms on the Board of Governors of the Georgia Bar. He specialized in litigation and handled many major cases. He served as President of the Albany Rotary Club and he served as chairman of every committee over 54 years. When he was President, he attended the convention of Rotary International in New Jersey. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and later the Albany Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the board for a number of years. He was a member of the American Legion and served on the stadium’s authority for many years. He was an active member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and he also served as an officer in SVC.

As an accomplished tennis player, he played on the Albany Tennis Team and for a number of years, won the Albany Singles Tennis Tournament. He was honored to be a member of the Albany Hall of Fame. He was a former member of Doublegate Country Club and the Pine Forest Racquet Club. 

Hilliard was one of five who founded Deerfield School and served on the Board of Trustees and was Vice-Chairman for many years.

An honest man, who was respected and held in high esteem for his integrity, convictions and strong faith in God, he was the epitome of a Southern Gentleman and has always been an influential model for his family. He has touched the lives of so many and his positive influence will continue to change the world. He deeply loved his family and demonstrated his abiding devotion to them daily. Hilliard touched and encouraged so many other lives also, because he had such a genuine love for all of God’s people. 

Hilliard is a member of the First Methodist Church and he served as President of the Fellowship Class and was an Usher for a number of years. 

His life would not have been complete without the love of his devoted wife of 38 years, Kay, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his friends. 

Hilliard was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Walter Burt Jr. and a sister, Carolyn Burt Oliver.

Survivors include his five children and their spouses: Rett Burt Snellings (Stan), Atlanta, GA; Carolyn Burt Hilton, Ponte Vedra, FL; Nancy Burt, Ponte Vedra, FL; Pace Burt (Beverly), Albany, GA; and Virginia Burt Williams, Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Henrietta Herrick, Atlanta, GA, the beloved mother of the five children; step-son, Mitch McLendon (Andrea), Naples, FL; 22 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. 

A Celebration of Life Service honoring Hilliard will be held at Riverside Cemetery, 200 Cotton Ave., Albany, GA, on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with Dr. Bill Coker officiating. 

Memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave., Albany, GA 31701.