Willi Martin Hilliard

Willi Martin Hilliard was born Jeanne-Marie Willi in Sacramento on July 25th, 1928, the only child of Charles William Willi and Virginia LaRue Willi. She was predeceased by her Mother, Father and Daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) LaRue Martin. She attended grammar school in Sacramento and graduated from Anna Head in Berkeley, California in 1946. She married Edward Lawton Martin October 15th, 1946. They settled in Pleasant Hill and then moved to Atherton where they raised 4 children. Michael, Charlie, Jeffrey, and Betsy. She is survived by her sons, Michael, (Justine) Charlie, (Debbie) and Jeffrey (Pam) and her grandchildren, Blair, Matthew, Julie, Brandon, Randall and Patrick and her great grandchildren, Payton and Logan who were the love of her life and Samburo, her African Grey companion for many years. Willi learned to ride at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton where she eventually ran the Tally Ho Horse show. She was a member of the Junior League and was a board member of Healdsburg Hospital in Healdsburg and a board member of the AVA, Alexander Valley Association of grape growers. She was also a board member of Canine Companions for Independence. In 1979 Willi and Toby purchased and moved to Chalk Hill Ranch, which she ran until her death. She was widowed to Harry Talbot (Toby) Hilliard, her second husband, CEO of Hilliard Oil and Gas on July 22nd, 1993. Her ranch boards up to 75 horses and featured vineyards of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Willi will long be remembered for entertaining her family and friends in her incredible garden. She loved and devoted her life to her Ranch. Here she held CAMP WILLI for her grandchildren, teaching them to fish and sail in the lake, play tennis and ride horses. She was truly a pioneer spirit and was well known, loved and respected not only on the peninsula but throughout the Northern California wine country. She passed away peacefully at home having had the opportunity to say goodbye to her entire family and many of her friends. She rode the Elevator of Angels at 12:15am on 12/15/2018. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Sutter Hospice in Santa Rosa. The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks Dr. Steven R. Vargas, Salita and Sutter Hospice.