Ballard Ovidette Hillman Jr.

Hillman, Jr., Ballard O. LTC (R), died on September 23, 2025. He was born at Hubbard Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama on December 18, 1937. In 1956 he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School as a member of the first graduating class. He had parallel distinguished careers in civilian life as well as the U.S. Military where he served over 42 years. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955, he served in the Special Forces Group in many leadership positions and earning many awards and decorations. While serving our country, he earned his accounting degree from Huntington College in 1971 after which he began his honorable career as Deputy Regional Inspector General for Audit Services in Atlanta, Georgia. He retired in 2001 with a total of 30 years of service. After his retirement, he found his passion in traveling and serving in many international missions through The First Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. He served the areas of Southern and Central Americas as well as into Africa building churches, drilling wells, starting schools and spreading God’s word to underserved communities. Though his age and health kept him from traveling, he continued to support these missions from afar. In his most recent years, he enjoyed theological studies as a part of Bible Study Fellowship, weekly lunches with his family and staying connected with the other members of the Special Forces Society.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Joyce Ernest Hillman, father, Ballard O. Hillman, Sr., mother, Agnes Naomi (Smith) Hillman and only sister, Suanne Hillman Bolling (Frank) of Mobile, Alabama. He is survived by his children Ballard O. Hillman, III and Terri Lynn Lander (Steven), granddaughters Alyssa Drew Lander, Ballard Lynn Lander Smith (Hunter), Ballyn Olivia Hillman Wilson (Corey) and great grandchildren Baylee Rae Wilson, Ever Wyatt Dempsey, Ellie Brooks Wilson, Lawson Turner Smith and Lander Thompson Smith as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 10 A.M. at Leak Memory Chapel followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 11 A.M. with Pastor Jay Wolfe officiating. Interment with full military honors will be in the Greenwood Serenity Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers are members of The Central Alabama Chapter of the 20th Special Forces Society. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The First Baptist Church of Montgomery Missions Board, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.