After graduating from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North Carolina, with degrees in English and Religion, Henry Hilliard was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in July 1956. In 1960 he became pastor of the Westview Christian Church in 1960 and ministered there until October 1965, when he entered military service as a U.S. Army chaplain. In 1968, while serving his second tour of duty in Vietnam, he received word that his father had died, and flew home to officiate the funeral, and then returned to Vietnam to complete his tour of duty. Following Vietnam service, and subsequent duty in Germany, from 1972 to 1975 Hilliard served in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains in Washington, D. C. After additional assignments, he retired on July 31, 1985 as a U.S. Army colonel. He continued his formal education after retirement, and attained his Doctorate in Ministry in 1989, and became Minister for the First Christian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee until 1993.