Obituary of Wesley V. Hillman

Wesley V. Hillman 94 of Roanoke “departed earthly bonds… and touched the face of God”. On Friday April 22, 2016. He was preceded by his wife Edith O. Hillman. At 11 years, old Wes rode his bike to the Roanoke Airport where he met his first love, flying never to be lost. He served proudly in the United States Navy during World War II. With his love of flying, he logged over 30,000 flight hours, many flying ratings, and accomplishments during his flying career. FAA Flight Examiner for the Commonwealth, an early member of QB (Quite Bird Men) Flying Fraternity Roanoke Chapter and OX-5. Also a founding member of CAP (Civil Air Patrol) during WWII. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in February 2015. In addition, He was one of the original inductees into the Virginia Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame in Richmond. He is also in the Roanoke Transportation Museum Aviation Wing. In the later years, illness took away his flying ability away, but not his love of flying. However, it was replaced by being deeply involved in his church, First Baptist Church. Along with his wife Edith, they served on the Communion Committee. Being known as “Mr. First Baptist”, he served as a Greeter, where his warm smile and manner were the first thing one saw as they came into the church. Wes's smile made it all the way to Durham, where many people were blessed by it at Cornerstone Bible Church at the Durham Senior Center, and the neighbors on Soft Tree Lane. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Melinda Stewart and husband Gary of Durham, NC; grandson, J. Mark Stewart and wife Joanne of AZ; Granddaughter, Elizabeth Fitzgerald and husband Elliot of Richmond; Three great great grandsons, Sasha and Izaak Stewart of AZ, Avi Fitzgerald of Richmond; brothers, Alva Hillman of Roanoke, Wallace Hillman and wife Katherine of Roanoke, Chuck Hillman and wife Shirley of SC; sister, Jeannie Strickland of Virginia, and sister-in-law, Aiko Hillman of CA., sister-in-law, Bea Overstreet of Roanoke, along with a special friend, Geneva Boggs and numerous nieces and nephews who all have been loving and helpful. Family would like to give a very warm thank you to the Homebound Ministry at First Baptist Church for the love shown faithfully while he spent the last 15 months in Durham. In addition, many thanks to the VA Hospital in Salem, Danville, and Durham and to Freida for her loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benevolent Ministry/Deacons of First Baptist Church, 515 3rd Street, SW, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, or to the Roanoke Museum of Transportation Aviation Wing, 303 Norfolk Ave, Roanoke, Va. 24016. A memorial service celebrating Mr. Hillman’s life will be held 11:00am Wednesday April 27, 2016 in First Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Smith officiating. Family will receive friends an hour before the service and also will receive friends Tuesday April 26, 2016 from 6:00-8:00pm at Simpson Funeral Home. F “Curse you FAA, I’m now flying beyond your reach”