Lynn "Buddy" Walter Hillman's Obituary
Lynn “Buddy” Hillman was born June 5 th 1944 in Silverton, Oregon. He was the 2nd born to Herman and
Joye Hillman. His sisters were Lola-the oldest, Sandy-still living, and his youngest sister Pennie. He
mostly grew up in Molalla, Oregon and has his fondest memories from there. His family moved around
quite a bit, partly because of his childhood asthma and partly because of his dad moving to where he
could find work. He never let his asthma get the best of him and he finally outgrew it.
Growing up, he was the typical “little rascal” and “outsider”. He loved the outdoors and was a country
boy through and through. After hearing all his stories about growing up, how he survived his younger
years is truly a miracle!
His parents divorced when he was just 14 and he learned quickly how to survive on his own. He started
work at 15 in a sawmill and worked in that industry and then papermills as a machinist his entire work
life. He was a hard worker and barely missed a day of work in his life. He made many great friends there
and was highly respected.
He met Joanne Larson in 1962 at Barry’s Drive In restaurant in Oregon City. Country boy meets city girl,
it was love at first sight. They married April 26, 1963, and had four daughters, Cherise, Denise, Terese,
and Renise (Chere, Denny, Terri, and Rae). Oregon City was their home. He proved to be a wonderful
husband and dad. There was never a dull moment with him. His strength showed through with his
oldest daughter Chere’s leukemia battle, his own sobriety of over 36 years and lovingly caring for his
wife, our mom, until she passed in 2012.
Anyone who met dad loved him. We always heard what a great guy he was and he was always there to
help anyone with anything.
He loved to make things, build things and just tinker around. He made big, beautiful ships from just a
block of wood. He made tin cars and trucks, bows and arrows from sticks and leather shoestrings for us
girls when we were little. He made us and our kids swing sets and made sure the slide were extra slick
to slide down. He also made his own knives and sheaths. He really could fix anything. He was a regular
“Macgyver” and truly the duct tape King!
Dad loved cars! He said owned over 300 in his lifetime. He was always fixing them up and trading them
or selling them. Going to car shows was always a great time. He was a fan of Nascar, golf and football.
He loved World War 2 movies and westerns. Going on trips to Florida with mom and family get
togethers were his favorite.
Dad had a great sense of humor and had the heartiest laugh! He was quite the prankster and loved to
tease us girls and his grandkids. Some of his best catch phrases were “Now that was funny!”, “Is that
right?”, “Boy you said it!”, “Am I gonna have to put a hook on your butt” (when us girls wouldn’t close a
door), and everyone’s favorite…”How you doin” you ol’ rascal!”
Dad will live on through all of us that knew him and the precious memories and stories he left us. He
wouldn’t want us to be sad so instead let’s shift our thoughts from how much he’ll be missed to one of
our own happy, funny, joking, laughing memories we’ve shared with him. Let’s smile and be comforted
he’s with our mom and sister and our dear Lord. We’ll see you later you ‘ol Rascal!
What’s your fondest memory of Lynn "Buddy"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lynn "Buddy"?
Share a story where Lynn "Buddy"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lynn "Buddy" you’ll never forget.
How did Lynn "Buddy" make you smile?
