October 11, 1933 - July 03, 2016
Thomas R. Hillier left this earth on July 3, 2016. He was born to Losee and Elmer Hillier of Twin Bridges Montana on October 11, 1933 and was raised in Twin Bridges. He met Lois Peters while attending Western Montana College in Dillon and the two soon moved to Livingston where they were married and had five children; Kirk, Kim, Todd, Lana and Lisa. While in Livingston, Tom taught school, worked as a juvenile court judge and eventually opened the Farmers Insurance Group agency, which vocation ultimately became his chosen career. In 1965, the family moved to Missoula, where Tom continued to excel in the insurance business. His marriage to Lois ended a short time thereafter, but after a few other shaky relationships, Tom eventually met Elizabeth “Liz” Carter and the two were married in 1972 and remained together until recently when their respective health conditions required they live apart in separate facilities. Tom was a life-long Mason and faithfully practiced the tenets and teachings of Free Masonry. He was also a Shriner and gave freely and generously of both his time and money to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children so that those children in need of care could receive it free of charge. He also chaired the Hospice Ball for many years in Missoula and helped raise substantial funds for the local hospice foundation. Tom was well respected in the life and health insurance industry both in Missoula and across the State of Montana. Though he held numerous positions and received countless awards in the insurance profession, he always had time or made time to teach or help anyone who came knocking at his door for advice or assistance. He was intelligent, quick-witted, generous and had a personality that could light up any room in an instant. And he could play pinochle like nobody’s business…Bob Rheinschmidt and Don Steele can attest to that! Tom also loved to fish, hunt and play golf. And considering his rather large size the majority of his life, he was very light on his feet on the dance floor. He had a big heart, a generous soul and he had many, many friends who were truly life-long friends. He will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Losee and Elmer Hillier, his first son, Kirk Thomas Hillier, and his stepson, Dean Carter. He is survived by Liz Hillier of Post Falls, Idaho, children Kim (and Steve) Brunelle of Otis Orchards, Washington, Lana (and Jim) Beyers of Spokane, Washington, Lisa (and Tim) Wolfe of Spokane, Washington, Todd (and Leanne) Hillier of Bozeman, Montana, stepson Gary Carter of Spokane, Washington, grandchildren Ross Brunelle, Brady Brunelle, Taylor Schraudner, Dillon Hillier, Rachel Shollenberger, Scott Wolfe, Tyler Wolfe, Grace Carter, Sophia Carter and great granddaughter, Sophia Ragsdale. A service will be scheduled and announced at a later date in Missoula, Montana. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any donations to the donor’s charity of choice or to any Shriner’s Hospital. Community Cremation & Funeral Spokane Valley - 13127 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, (509)926-2020 - Communitycremationandfuneral.com
Hozzászólások