J D Hileman, 92, of Hemphill, Texas, passed away on August 20, 2012. He was born on September 13, 1919, in Sour Lake, Texas, to Hattie and Joe Hileman. J D was in the United States Army from 1940 until 1944, having served in World War II, and was a Demolition Specialist and Paratrooper. He had received many medals including a Victory Medal for World War II. J D was a supporter of veterans from all branches of service. He was a member of Pipefitters Local Union 195 from 1954 until 1996 and was also a member of the VFW Post # 10351 in Hemphill, Texas.
He was a resident of Hemphill at Six Mile for thirty-four years. J D was known at Six Mile Toledo Bend Lake as being the Cat Fish King. Many people young and old will tell you they learned everything they know about fishing from J D. It didn’t matter if it was catfish, bass, or crappie; he would take you out and you were gonna catch fish. Other than fishing, his next favorite thing was dancing. Being just shy of 93 years old, he would go dancing three to four nights a week going to hear his favorite bands and cutting a rug with his favorite gals. He enjoyed playing dominos with all his buds and loved reminiscing about all the stories from the deer camp days; his nickname at the camp was “Prez”. J D will be missed by so many people and touched everyone’s lives in so many ways.
Survivors include his daughter; Madelyn Howard of Austin; brother PK Lester and his wife, Margaret, of Vidor; nephew, Joe Hileman of Fannett; niece, Patricia Hileman Crawford of Vidor; great-nieces, Renee Hileman Pelt of Fannett and ReJena Hileman Bolton of Silsbee.
J D is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ira “Scar” Hileman; wives, Lillian Hileman and Francis Hileman; and half-sister, Betty Hileman.
A memorial service for Mr. Hileman will be 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012, at East Sabine Senior Citizens Center, 591 Starr, Hemphill, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or VFW Post # 10351, 3049 State Highway 184, Hemphill, Texas 75948.
The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, and all the dedicated employees for all the kind words, family support, and most of all, the very special care you gave to J D.
