James Riley Hiers of Merritt Island, FL departed this world to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at the ripe old age of 87. Jim was born in Bamberg, South Carolina and came to Brevard in 1959 after serving a tour of duty in Germany in the US Army. While in Germany, he met his wife Wilhelmine (Helma) Aigner. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he pursued a career in Aeronautical Engineering for NASA. He was a part of the infant space program and worked on projects from the Mercury program to the Space Shuttle, focusing on the life support systems. He was a proud member of the Citadel Alumni Association, his alma mater; Virginia Poly-Technical Institute Alumni Association, and a member of First Baptist Church of Merritt Island. He survived by his wife, Helma, and three daughters, Kathie Ray (husband Carl), Leslie Tamayo (husband Ernie), and Barbara Sweeney (husband John). He was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, Jamie (Ray) Cutright, Laura (Ray) French, Shannon Tamayo, Andrew Tamayo, Rebecca Tamayo, Juliet Sweeney, and Jane Sweeney. Furthermore, he was blessed with one great-granddaughter, Emma Cutright. His Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, February 3, 2019. Visitation will take place from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and a Service at 2:00 pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, Florida.
Posted in: obituarydata.com
Posted on: 2019-02-05
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