Gallatin, MO: Reverend Alvin Walter Hillman, 91, Gallatin, MO passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at a Gallatin, MO nursing home.
He was born on August 10, 1927 at the family home north of New Hampton, Missouri the son of Walter Thomas and Mabel Viola (Thompson) Hillman.
Alvin grew up on the family farm where he enjoyed working with honey bees and attended Walnut Grove County School and then New Hampton High School, graduating in 1945. Upon graduating, he entered the United States Army. On June 8, 1946 he was home on a leave and married Inez Maxine Yates. After leaving the service, he sold Cappers Papers for a while and then they moved to Galesburg, Illinois. He was a Boy Scout leader for several years. Both of their children were born while they lived in Illinois, Cynthia Kay and Larry Alvin. After several years in Illinois, they moved back to Missouri where he went into the Ministry. He attended college at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. He received two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree. Alvin was recognized for his service in the ministry in the Lake Viking News in September of 2006. At the age of 79, he had been serving for 43 years and has been serving since until a recent stroke in August of 2018. He was described as a pastor who preached with effortless grace, centered around a steadfast belief and radiating with wisdom. His outreach touched many different generations. He pastored churches in Mount Moriah, Gilman City, High Point, Goshen and Lake Viking as well as participated in numerous church camps and youth bible studies and also offered counseling to those in need. After Inez’s passing in September of 2000, Alvin married Mary Bickford-Hillman on October 12, 2014 after 11 years of courtship. Their wedding was held at the Lake Viking Church. They made their home at Lake Viking where they were very happy. Alvin was pastor at the Gallatin Presbyterian Church for the past four years. After his stroke, Mary and Alvin decided to reside at the Daviess County Nursing Home until his passing. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Hillman; brothers, John and Orville Hillman; sister, Mildred and a step-son, Michael Bickford.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Mary of the home; son, Larry (Janet) Hillman, Lake Viking, MO; step-daughters, JoDee (Jim) Norton, Gallatin, MO, Beth (Tracy) Reynolds, Cameron, MO; step-sons, Mark (Brenda) Bickford, Excelsior Springs, MO and Mitch (Renee) Bickford, Lathrop, MO; sister, Ruth Ann (Ron) Arkle, New Hampton, MO; brother-in-law, Charles Yates, Bethany, MO; and several cousins, 20 step grandchildren, 21 step great grandchildren and many wonderful friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Foster Cemetery, New Hampton, MO. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Lake Viking Church and/or the New Hampton Methodist Church in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com