FRANKLIN – Gene L. Hilliard, 86, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at The Golden Crest Assisted Living Facility. He was born on August 9, 1940, in Concord, NH, the son of Beulah Hilliard.

Gene lived in Epsom for 50 years before moving to Concord and, most recently, to Franklin. He worked as a truck driver for Agway and BSP Trans Inc. and, toward the end of his career, drove for Weeks Dairy Farm, delivering milk. Gene often referred to himself as a “dirt farmer” and was also a junk dealer.

Members of his family include his wife, Rose (LaDuke) Hilliard; his daughters, Lisa Cote and her husband, Jay, of Epsom; Mary Webster and her husband, Bruce, of Irwin, TN; and Kimberly Raiche and her husband, Michael, of Pembroke; his grandchildren, Jason, Sarah, Kaitlin, Felicia, Michael, and Christopher; and his great-grandchildren, Hazen, Addison, Elizabeth, and James.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., immediately followed by a funeral service at Roan Family Funeral Home – Still Oaks Chapel, 1217 Suncook Valley Hwy, Epsom. A committal service will follow at Loudon Centre Cemetery on Clough Hill Road in Loudon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s memory to the Pope Memorial SPCA.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com.