Vail Stone Hiers, 78, passed away on March 7, 2010 at Hospice House in Vero Beach.
He was born Dec. 7, 1931 in West Palm Beach. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jacqualine Hiers; two daughters, Brenda Dirkse (Randy) and Barbara Comer (Mike); son, Nicholas Hiers (Rachael); grandchildren, Michelle Lynn Bishop, Jennifer Rene Dirkse, Hannah Hiers, Cara Courtney, Christian Courtney, Bryan Courtney and one great granddaughter, Destiny Courtney and one great grandson, Scott Courtney.
He is also survived by his twin sister, Elizabeth Ann Alligood (Jesse) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he visited each year at his annual family reunion.
He is also survived by his constant companion, May-May, and his great-grandog, Bailey Bishop.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hubert Victor Hiers and Ruth Palmer Hiers, brothers, Hubert Lamar Hiers, William Thomas Hiers and Herman Vincent Hiers and sisters, Juanita Ruth Hiers and the triplet who was deceased at birth.
He had the distinction of being one of the first triplets born in Palm Beach County. He graduated from Palm Beach High School, and continued his education at Norman College, Union University, Valdosta State, and Nova Southeastern.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Korean War.
He began his teaching career in Vero Beach with the Indian River County School System, in 1959 and taught music at the Vero Beach High School, the “old” junior high, and the Freshman Learning Center. He also taught briefly in Ocilla, Ga., and Cordele, Ga.
After his “first” retirement from Indian River County, he returned to the classroom to teach math. Once again, he retired from the Indian River County School System and until as recent as May 2009, he taught in the Adult Education Program at Indian River State College, helping many students to complete their high school equivalency examination.
He was ordained a Minister of music and served many churches throughout his lifetime. He was also an ordained a Deacon at First Baptist Church in Vero Beach. He was currently a member of Kings Baptist Church in Vero Beach and an active member of Gideons International.
He was active in scouting in Indian River County with his son Nick, who achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. He played French horn for many graduation ceremonies throughout the years at Tabernacle Baptist School.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideons International, Hospice of Indian River County.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 11 at Kings Baptist Church, Vero Beach from 5-7 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Morrison Baptist Church in Brooks County, Ga., on Saturday, March 13, with burial to follow in Morrison Baptist Church Cemetery.
