Bishop Robert L. Hillery

Visitation: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Visitation Time: 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Visitation Location: Victory Temple of God
601 Pine Avenue
Sanford, Florida

Service Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: Victory Temple of God
601 Pine Avenue
Sanford, Florida

Obituary:

Bishop Robert L. Hillery, 78, of Sanford, transitioned from labor to reward on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Bishop Robert L. Hillery is a native Floridian and the epitome of a life devoted to service and sacrifice. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost and began his spiritual walk with God in February of 1967. He was a long time, faithful and devoted member of The First-Born Church of the Living God, Inc. where he attended from his youth through young adult life. He led the Church in many of its building projects and renovations, often completely funding and providing the majority of the labor along with his family. After ten years of serving as Pastor and as an Ordained Elder, in 1993, he was ordained Bishop under the direction and blessing of the late Senior Bishop Albert A Hill of The First-Born Church of the Living God.

Having accepted the call of God to serve, Bishop Hillery also accepted the call to serve his country and was drafted in the United States Army in 1967. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, he  returned home in August of 1973 to begin a career in Construction and Development. His passion and expertise are in the areas of design and restoration. He specializes in restoring old houses and buildings. Bishop Hillery’s career in this regard spans over five decades.

These experiences greatly enhance Bishop’s ability to work effectively within church organization, where God has a calling on his life. Parallel to his gift of restoring old and run-down buildings in the natural, through a life dedicated to prayer, fasting and teaching God’s Word, he is consistently used of the Lord for the Spiritual restoration of individual and family lives. In 1983, he accepted God’s calling on his life to Pastor and began Victory Temple of God, Inc. (VTOG). He currently serves as the Chief Apostle of VTOG, with headquarters in Sanford, FL. Bishop earned an
Associate degree in Ministry, a Bachelor of Science in Theology, a Master of Arts in Counseling and a Doctorate of Divinity from the International Bible Institute in Plymouth, FL. However, his greatest crowning achievement is being one with Christ. To this end, his preferred titles are Man of God and Servant of the People.

Bishop Hillery is devoted to a life of service and enjoys sharing his expertise and knowledge. He is a Chaplain for Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. Additionally, he serves as President of RLH Construction and President of Florida S.P.E.C.S., Inc., an Affordable Community Housing Development Organization.

Bishop was married for forty-three years to the love of his life, the Late Mother Doris Hillery. Together, they lovingly parented four children, all of whom are filled with the Holy Ghost and actively serving in Ministry. As he looks to develop churches and schools around the world, Bishops primary focus is winning souls for Christ. Through an exemplary life of service, he consistently teaches, “We must show God, Not in Talk but in Action!”

Bishop Hillery breathed his last breath and put on his new robe of glory on July 29th. His ministry and legacy will live on in the hearts of his beloved children: Alisa Grace (J.T. Linion), Veleria Henry (Audley), Robbie “RT” Hillery (Tara), Joseph Hillery (Ayiesha); Grandchildren: (Joseph M Hillery II, Benjamin Hillery, Asher Hillery, Gād Hillery, Michael Henry, Robert Hillery, Sasha Golston Arias, Jacob Hillery, Lynisa Nordelus (Kenly), Lenny Grace Sr., Ashuwa Richardson (Senchel), Shanika Grace, Darryl Fort (Dianna); Great-Grandchildren: Genesis Henry, Joaquin Golston, Catalina Gonzalez, Noah Nordelus, Kenlyn Nordelus, Nia Grace, Lenny Grace, Jr., Ahlani Grace, Na’ima Richardson, Naudia Richardson, Nyrie Richardson, Kimiyah Wright, Levi Rogers, Nilan Staples, Mason Fort, Darryl Fort, Jr., Aryanna Fort; Godchildren: Kimberly Williamson, Erick Smith; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews, the Victory Temple of God Family, and many friends and associates who will cherish his beloved memory. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 3-7PM at the church. A service of celebration will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, 11:00 AM at Victory Temple of God, 601 Pine Avenue, Sanford with Elder Calvin Smith, Sr., Officiating. Interment: Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims with full military honors.