George William "Bill" Hillyer III

Bill Hillyer was born July 18, 1934 in Kilgore, Texas and died December 13, 2015 in Longview, having lived a courageous, honorable and loving life. While still in junior high school, Bill moved with his parents, the late George and Margaret Hillyer, to Tyler, Texas where he graduated from John Tyler High School in 1952. Enrolling at Texas A & M College, Bill joined the Corps of Cadets, became a squadron commander and began his love for the military. He graduated from A & M in 1956 with a degree in geology and in that same year married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Bennett. Together they began a 50-year marriage and a long career in the U.S. Air Force. Bill was an accomplished and decorated Hercules C-130 pilot, flying 525 combat missions during the Viet Nam War with over 2000 hours at the controls. His tremendous skill as a pilot was exemplified when, after direct attack, he flew his compromised transport plane back to base with rescued soldiers and crash-landed with no casualties. Following the war Bill was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where he served in the Air Rescue and Recovery Unit, participating in numerous Apollo space program recoveries. His last Air Force assignment was Base Commander of Norton Air Force Base in California. While Air Force assignments took him away for long stretches and involved many moves, his love for family was always evident. He was a cherished husband to Marilyn and loving father to daughters Susan and Frances. After 30 years of military service, he and Marilyn returned to Tyler where he worked for Prudential Insurance until his retirement. His time in Tyler was full with activities at the First Baptist Church, golf, hunting and fishing with friends, and fun times with children and grandchildren. Following Marilyn’s death in 2006, Bill met and married Sarah Baird Sides in 2010. Both had experienced long, happy first marriages and treasured this unexpected opportunity for companionship, travel and spirited times together. In addition to Sarah, Bill is survived by daughters Susan Mouser (Kip) of Tyler; Frances Ridlehoover (Roger) of Los Angeles; sister Mary Harter (Charlie) of Houston; and grandchildren Laura Ridlehoover of Seattle, Dan (Lillian) Ridlehoover of California, Will Ridlehoover of Panama, Katie Mouser of Tyler; and Sarah’s sons Billy Sides of Houston and Kirk Sides of Houston. Visitation will be Thursday, December 17, 5:00-7:00 pm at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler. Bill’s life will be celebrated and honored Friday, December 18th at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, Tyler, following a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kyle Lake Foundation, P O Box 6776, Tyler, TX 75711 in honor of Bill.

George William "Bill" Hillyer III

July 18, 1934 - December 13, 2015