James Reynolds Hillaire Jr.

James R. Hillaire Jr. (Yan-Wak-Shut) was born to Lutie and Smitty James R. Hillaire Sr. on January 6th 1955. He was very proud of his service as a Mechanic in the US Army from 1975-1979 and was stationed in Fort Silll, Oklahoma and Germany. He was often praised for the work he did on the various vehicles he worked on and even received a commendation. He often told us kids to thank his A-hole Colonel because he would have served longer and we would never have been born. He was married to Susan Hatch-Hillaire for 24 years and had 5 children. He dedicated 42 years of his life serving the Tulalip Tribes and for a majority of it he was a Substance Use Disorder Professional at Tulalip Family Services helping our youth and adults on their road to recovery. He ran the sweatlodge and the Men's Wellness Warriors Group at TFS helping our people reconnect with our culture to support their recovery. He often spoke about the best thing anyone can do for him is to do your best to Live A Good Life. Jim was also very passionate about big drum powwows and was a very strong traditional dancer. He would often dance with more energy and move around the dance floor more than some of the younger dancers. Even as a Golden Age dancer you would find him out there dancing with the Men's Traditional Category. He also sang family songs on the big drum with his wife and children at the Stillaguamish Festival of the River and Tulalip Veterans Powwow. Jim enjoyed playing guitar and started a band in his youth and started his band back up in his later years with his Bro Harlan James Sr. You could find them on stage playing at the Stommish Festival. Jim was a gifted hunter and spent his free time going hunting in Inchelium with his Baby Auntie Michelle Ensminger and uncles Dustin Ensminger and Doug Nanpuya and his wife Sheila. On May 19, 2018 Jim had a beautiful powwow wedding ceremony, married his mate Sheila McCoy-Hillaire and gained 3 more children. Jim was a very firm believer in the smokehouse and joined December 25th 1978 and was a well respected teacher in that walk of life. At the end of his life, Jim was reassigned as a healer and spent his last days in the hospital still serving the people until he was called home by the ancestors on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Survived by his Wife, Sheila Hillaire. Mother-in-law Jeannie McCoy, Siblings: Ed Hillaire, and Elaine (Loren) Roberts, Angela McCoy, Cara (Darell) Tohannie, Children: Jamesina (Richard) Hillaire, Kaylela (Jack) Grayson, Anitra (Nick) Hillaire-Lavarnway, James (Kesha) R. Hillaire III. Samantha (Chris) Wilder, Raphael Madera, and Angel (Katie) Madera. Niece's: Antonia Jefferson, And Jessica Roberts, Brianna Althoff, Lola hatch, Nephew's: Raymond Hillaire Sr., and Russell Roberts, John Waters, Stephen Waters, Hayden McCoy, Bradley Althoff, Matt Althoff. Grand children: Thomas Williams III, Kiersten Williams, Andrew Comenote, Anela Hillaire, Alamea Comenote, Kayleena Comenote, and Jason David Lee James O’Day, Richard Hillaire, Gizelle Bill, Angus Grayson, Tavish Grayson, Palani Hillaire, Makaio Hillaire, Addie Hillaire, Elleana Lavarnway, and James R. Hillaire IV. Angelino Hillaire, AngelinaHillaire, Gabriel Wilder, Bayley Wilder, Ashley Wilder, Sawyer Madera, and Dakota Madera. Proceeded in death by, Parents: James (Smitty) Hillaire Sr. and Lutie Hillaire. Siblings: Timothy Hillaire and Patrick Hillaire. Grand Parents: Addie and George C. George, Zeta and Richard Hillaire Sr. And Uncle Tony George. Son James Owen Jefferys and Daughter Angelina Hillaire. Evening Services will be held at the Tulalip Gathering Hall 7512 Totem Beach Road Tulalip, WA 98271 Thursday, October 1st 4:00 PM Dinner Services at 5:00 PM. Funeral will be held Friday, October 2nd at 10:00 AM at The Tulalip Gathering Hall with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.