Longtime Fairhope educator Earl R. Hilyer died Friday, March 25, at his home after a brief battle with cancer. He was 84.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at St. James Episcopal Church. A celebration of life will follow in the Parrish Hall.

A native of Freemont, Neb., the family relocated to Phenix City where he graduated from Central High School in 1944. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended State Teachers College (now Troy University).

After graduating in 1949, he moved to Fairhope to teach at Fairhope High School, where he subsequently had a 40 year career in which he taught math, served as a coach and principal.

He was a longtime member of the Fairhope Yacht Club and St. James Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Muriel L. Hilyer; daughter, Julie Hilyer; and brother, Kenneth Hilyer of Tifton, Ga.

Survivors include a son, Terry (Jan) Hilyer of Fairhope; granddaughters Katie Hilyer of Mobile and Kelli (Jennings) Wright of Tuscaloosa; step-grandchildren Erin (Karl) Langley and Kyle Brady of Fairhope; two step great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leon Hilyer of Troy, Lois Gresham of Phenix City, Jean (Max) McGlamry of Columbus, Ga., Mary Ester McCart of Dothan, Ruth Ann (Lamar) Powers of Phenix City, and Carolyn (Tex) Helms of Smiths Station; countless family members, friends, and former students.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund of St. James Episcopal Church, 860 N. Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532.