Paul Henry Hillman was born December 15, 1923 east of Essex, IA at what is now 1429 H Avenue to Ernest E. Hillman and Mildred Nadgwick Hillman. He passed away August 8, 2006 in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 82.

He attended country schools and graduated with the Class of 1941 at Shenandoah, IA. He entered the US Army Air Corps at the start of WWII. After the war he married Rosalee Stirlen. To this union four children were born: Suzanne, Cynthia, Rebecca and William. Paul was a member of the Air Force Reserve and was assigned to the Air Force Academy as the Liaison Officer Coordinator for the state of Iowa. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1983. He was a farmer in the Essex area. Paul was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex, a past commander of the American Legion Post 88 in Shenandoah and several military organizations.

Paul is preceded in death by his wife, Rosalee; his parents; brother, Marvin and sister, Louise. Survivors include his children, Suzanne Boyde and her son Bill and his wife Alicia and their children Faith and Camden; Cynthia Samuel and her husband Bill and her daughter Shannen along with her children Michael, Rachael, Joe and Jesse; Rebecca Mamroud and husband Avi and her children Lindsey and Adam; Bill Hillman and his wife Deb and their daughters, Sarah and husband Mikey Waite and Katie Hillman. Also surviving is his sister Evelyn Johnson, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of life memorial services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2006, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Jerry Wagoner. Pianist was Larry Polsley. Caring for flowers were Lori Smith and Patti Gee. Attending the memory register were Mary Lou Johnson and Rosemary Gutierrez. In charge of the memorials was Lorraine Benton. Ushers were Bob Vavra, John Baxter and Joe Nebel. Honorary bearers were Paul Hamilton, Jim Thomas and all of Paul's friends. Military rites were accorded by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard in Bellevue, Nebraska. Inurnment will be in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at 3:00 p.m.on Tuesday, October 3, 2006. Memorials are being directed to the Paul H. Hillman Memorial Fund. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com on the web.