HORNELL-Theodore J. “Ted” Hillman, 55, of Hyland Drive, passed away late Friday morning (Oct. 16, 2015) after a long illness.
Born in Hornell on Sept. 5, 1960, he was a son of the late John and Mary Baird Hillman. On July 23, 1983, he was married at the First Baptist Church in Hornell to the former Sandra Huffsmith, who survives.
A graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1978, Ted was a member of both the Hornell High School soccer and baseball teams. He received an associate’s degree in Aviation Technology from SUNY at Farmingdale and a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management from Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H.
Ted began his career as a flight instructor and then as a pilot with Mall Airlines in Albany, Empire Airlines and Piedmont Airlines in Utica and eventually with U.S. Airways in Pittsburgh.
He and Sandy resided in Albany, Randall, N.Y. and Baldwinsville for about 10 years before returning to Hornell in 1996 where they were members of the First Baptist Church.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, Ted enjoyed doing anything that involved children, especially his own children. This has been very evident throughout the years with him being instrumental in establishing the Hornell Youth Soccer Program, coaching Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and serving as an assistant coach for varsity boy’s soccer.
Besides enjoying hunting and fishing, Ted was an avid fan of Syracuse men’s basketball and was a season ticket holder for many years.
His loving family includes his wife of 32 years, Sandy; his three children, John (Naomi) Hillman of Conesus Lake, Martha Hillman (Marcus Cronin) of Albany and Jaime (Zach) Haynes of Hornell; his granddaughter, Rylee Haynes; his two brothers, John Hillman and Jerry Hillman both of Rochester; his two sisters, Kate Hillman of Hornell and Barbara Purce of Bel Air, Md.; also his nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Theodore J. “Ted” Hillman.
Calling hours are 5-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 30) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet his family at the First Baptist Church, 28 Church St., Hornell, where a funeral service will be held in his memory at 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 31.)
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 919 Westfall Road, #220, Rochester, N.Y. 14618. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Online condolences or remembrances of Ted are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
