Joe Hillman, 78, of Driggs, Idaho, passed away June 22, 2009 at the Teton Valley Hospital of lung cancer. Joe was born on May 8, 1931 in Driggs, Idaho. He was the ninth child born to Roy and Iva Valentine Hillman. He grew up on a farm near Driggs and attended the local schools graduating from Teton High School in 1949. He attended Idaho Tec College in Pocatello, Idaho and graduated 2 years later with a degree in printing. Joe served during the Korean War in the United States Air Force from November 1951 to November 1955 spending two years in Japan. He served as a civilian instructor to the military and traveled around Europe for over a year teaching accounting to the military units. When he returned home and went to work for his brother Guy Hillman at the Economy Cash Grocery store, (which became Hillman's Thriftway) and spent the next 41 years in the grocery business. Joe retired when Hillman's was sold in 1998, but didn't stop working. For the last eleven years he has been "the Number One Volunteer and Promoter of Home Delivered Meals." (A quote form Carol Taylor, MSW), and drove a route himself. He was a big part of organizing and raising the money for the new Senior Citizens building, and Vice Chairman of that group. He had been a key member of the Teton Valley Hospital Foundation, and served the community at many charitable events. A quote from Suzie Fenger "This community is his family... . Joe operates from the modality of "Once a smile, never a stranger." You will be missed Joe.
He is preceded in death by his parents; Brothers: Lowell Hillman, Dick Hillman, Bob (LaLoi/Carmen) Hillman and Guy (Elva); sisters: Joyce Hillman, LaRue (Cecil Bradbury/Lyle) Johnson, Marjorie (Ray) Griffith and Trillis (Nathan) Ricks; one nephew Jerry Griffith; 2 nieced Barbara Griffith (John) Sulzer and Sharon Ricks (Lloyd) Fullmer.
He is survived by 2 sisters-in-law Carmen Hillman Rochell and Elva Hillman Ard; 5 nephews; 5 nieces and their posterity and the whole Hillman Thriftway Family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the LDS Stake Center in Driggs, Idaho. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 24th from 7 - 8:30 P.M. and then for an hour prior to the funeral both at the church. Burial will be in the Darby Cemetery near Driggs under the direction of the Valley Mortuary in Driggs. Condolences can be sent to the family at valleymortuarydriggs.com.
