Sam Bowers Hilliard passed away Friday, August 5, 2011 at the age of 80.A native of Bowersville, Sam was the sixth son of the late Asa Farris Hilliard and Flora Elizabeth Bowers, also of Bowersville.He was preceded in death by brothers Everett, Charlie, George, Byron (Bush), and sisters Francis, Nell, Patsy and Lucy.His surviving brother John passed away later on the same day in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

After graduating from Hartwell High School, Sam enlisted in the US Navy, serving for four years in the Korean conflict.He then obtained his BA and MA from the University of Georgia, followed by MS and PhD degrees at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After teaching positions at UW Milwaukee and Southern Illinois University, Sam moved his family to Baton Rouge, LA to join the faculty of the Geography and Anthropology Department at Louisiana State University.His research interests included historical geography, agricultural practices and landscapes of the past.During his tenure at LSU he wrote 6 books, including Hogmeat and Hoecake: Foodstuff Self Sufficiency in the Antebellum South, described by one reviewer as "often brilliant and sometimes profound".He published dozens of journal articles, including major editing efforts for three National Geographic special publications.As a member of the LSU faculty he mentored graduate students, served as Department Head, Director of the School of the Geosciences, and Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA.He was the recipient of an LSU Alumni Professorship and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers.

Upon retirement Sam and Joyce moved back to the land they loved, their farm in Hart County that had been in the family for 3 generations.He blended his academic interests and his love of place in his retirement pursuits, editing three books on the churches of the area, writing articles on historical topics for the Hartwell Sun, giving presentations to civic groups, restoring antique farm equipment and taking an active role in the Hart and Franklin county historical societies.He served on the Board of the Hart County Historical Society and Museum and as official historian of Hart County.He was awarded the Rotary Four Way Test Award and the DAR Medal of Honor for his service to the area.

Sam is survived by wife Joyce, his son Steven and daughter-in-law Amy Edwards, daughter Joy and son-in-law Tim Courville, grandchildren Landon and Sydney Courville, and sisters Ruth Fulcher of Hephzibah and Marian Williams of West Palm Beach, FL.

Funeral services will be Monday, August 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church with Dr. R. Allen Stewart officiating.A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.Burial will be in the Bowersville City Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday night.Memorials may be made to the Hartwell First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 200 E. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA30643.www.hartwellfumc.com