Obituary of James Hileman

James ?Jim? Robert Hileman, 73, of Lynchburg, VA, reunited with his parents, Hershal & Claire Hileman, and his brothers, Paul and Harry, and was placed at the feet of Jesus for healing on Monday, November 21, 2011. He was the love of Betty Lou Grubaugh Hileman?s life for over 52 years. Jim was born January 24, 1938, in Jefferson, TX. He lived in Plaquemine, LA, with his Paw-Paw Bergeron for two years as a child and was immersed in real Cajun culture. He returned to Jefferson and lived the normal life of a child of the ?40s, earning money through a paper route, getting into trouble with his brothers and going to church, the latter of which earned him the nickname of ?Mackerel Snapper? as his family was of a very small percentage of Catholics in their town. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1955 and Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Forestry in 1961. He went to work for a small timber company in Lufkin, TX, which later became Owens-Illinois (now Georgia-Pacific). He moved with O-I to Lynchburg, VA, in 1982 as the Area Resource Manager. In 1994 he moved with G-P to Calais, ME, as the Group Manager, and then returned to Virginia in 1998 with G-P to assist private landowners in managing their forests. Thus his 45-year career in forestry began and ended doing what he loved - stomping around in the woods. His natural ability to lead called him to work behind a desk for many of the years in between. His business and common sense along with his simple belief of always doing the right thing earned him the respect of everyone he worked with from the loggers to the president of the company. After retiring in 2000, he became part of Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity?s Mid-Week Crew, helping homeowners build their homes and realize their dreams of home ownership. He also worked with Rebuilding Together and served on Habitat?s board of directors. Jim loved teaching people how to build and believed that everyone was able to make a difference. His favorite Habitat projects were the Special or ?Capa? Builds in which he partnered with people with mental and physical challenges and showed them that they have the capability to build a house. His service was honored when the home of Winter Henry on Polk Street was dedicated to him earlier this year. He told Ms. Henry to always be grateful for what she had, even when the floorboards creaked or toilets backed up, because she had built her home and it was an achievement of which to always be proud. Only at work and Habitat did people call him Jim. Everywhere else in life, he was known as Jim & Betty as he was rarely involved in anything that Betty wasn?t by his side. They made a Marriage Encounter weekend in 1977 and devoted themselves to a life of love through talking and communicating about everything, even death. As a result of their desire to teach other couples the depths of which love could be felt, they worked with M.E. in America and Europe for over 20 years presenting weekends, holding leadership positions and training other couples to do the same. ?We know we?ll never find another you, Jim.? Jim & Betty had a deep love of God and believed everything they had on this earth was given to them by God. Their philosophy was that you were to live simply so that others may simply live. They worked faithfully in every church in which they were members: Immaculate Conception, Jefferson, TX; St. Patrick?s, Lufkin, TX; St. Thomas More, Lynchburg, VA; and Immaculate Conception, Calais, ME. They served in every way possible, from teaching baptism classes to helping with funerals. Jim was a member of Parish Council, a lector, cherished taking Communion to shut-ins and was a one-man welcoming committee, finding someone every Sunday that he didn?t know, introducing himself and making sure they felt at home. In addition to traveling to Germany and Switzerland for M.E., Jim & Betty took many wonderful trips to Ireland, Scotland, Alaska and Acadia, N.S., where he traced his Cajun roots back many centuries. Jim had a bottomless love for his grandchildren and took them on trips to San Antonio, Springfield, Ill., Boston and camping in Maine. He loved to canoe, kayak, duck hunt, listen to loons on the lakes of Maine, watch plays at Lime Kiln Theatre, listen to Prairie Home Companion, read anything he could get his hands on and learn as much about everything he could. Most of all, he loved to tell stories. Whether it was that time with the calf in the backseat of the ?68 Mustang or where the holes in Swiss cheese come from, his sense of humor captivated all within earshot. Regardless of everything else he did, his family was his life. It was important to him that he pass to them all that he had learned. He wanted them to understand the difference between right and wrong, that you get more than you give when you help others, how to be good stewards of what you?re given and how much you?re rewarded when you love one another. He spent his life teaching us how to live and at the end, he taught us how to die. He was a perfect example of God?s love and will be painfully missed by everyone whose life he touched. His legacy includes his Betty, their children, Robert & Carolyn Hileman, Lufkin, TX; David Hileman, Monroe, VA; and Jennifer & Buzz McFaden, Lynchburg, VA; daughter-in-law, Joni & Bill Drinkard, Madison Heights, VA; grandchildren, Frances, Matt, Rory, Colin, Autumn, Glory & Ross; sister, Jerry & Jack McVay, Rockwall, TX; sisters-in-law, Laura Hileman, Lufkin, TX; Brenda & Eddie Cobb, Jefferson, TX; brother-in-law, Gene & Johnette Grubaugh, Jefferson, TX; and numerous treasured nieces and nephews throughout Texas. A Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 3:00 PM, on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Mooney officiating. As Jim wanted it, a party to celebrate his life will follow the service in the Parish Hall. Please wear vibrant fall colors and be willing to share your favorite stories of Jim with everyone. All of the family?s thanks and love go to Jim?s amazing and compassionate team of doctors, Cecelia MacCallum, Angela Brady and Pat Pletke; and to his ?Angels,? Allie, Brenda and Tanisha. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be sent to Centra Hospice, 3300 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503; Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center, 1701 Thomson Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501; or the charity of your choosing. Diuguid Funeral Service and Crematory, Wiggington Chapel,385-8900, is proudly serving the Hileman family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.