William E. "Bill" Hillman

William Everett “Bill” Hillman joined his parents for eternity on his 73rd birthday, April 25, 2016. Bill endured a short, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his family throughout this battle and during his final days.

Bill was born to parents William Gerald Hillman and Mary Elizabeth (Bacon) Hillman in Sullivan, Missouri in 1943. He attended one year of college at the University of Missouri, then completed his degree at Southwest Missouri State University. At SMS, he was a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he formed life-long friendships. Bill loved baseball as a child and played baseball for the University of Missouri during his freshman year. Bill hoped to pass his passion for baseball on to his four grandsons. As soon as they could hold a bat, he began practice: hitting, throwing and catching.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Margaret O’Sullivan Hillman. Bill is survived by his son, William Christopher Hillman and his wife, Melissa Dawn Hillman; daughter, Natalie Hillman Lambrecht and her husband, Cory Michael Lambrecht; four grandsons, for whom he cherished, Cooper (12 yrs.), Tucker (5 yrs.), Rowan (5 yrs.) and Graham (2 yrs.); his brother, James Calvin Hillman and his wife, Martha Anne Hillman; three nieces: Kathy and her husband Matt, Abby and her husband John, and Jenny and her husband Jeff; one nephew, Jimmy, nine great-nephews (Dillon, James, Patrick, Jack, JT, Tripp, Case, Andrew and JP), and one great-niece (Hattie).

We will cherish the many wonderful memories we have of Bill. He truly loved people, and he was a devoted grandfather. Bill lit up a room with his booming voice and his bountiful personality. Bill’s presence will forever live in our hearts.

Memorial services will be held in the Wesley Chapel at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016. A lunch reception will follow at the home of Chris and Melissa Hillman.

Bill had a special place in his heart for animals, especially his dogs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wayside Waifs Humane Society, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 or online at: http://www.waysidewaifs.org.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com. Address: McGilley & Hoge, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204.