Photo courtesy of Peters Funeral Home - Cotulla
Sep 14, 1947 - Aug 5, 2022
Peace be with you Jeremy and all the Hillje family. I know how close you are to your Dad. Sending much love and comfort to all.
Lisa Mayo
August 26, 2022 | Seguin, TX | Friend
Group of 10 Trees
Scotty and guys at the ranch
August 15, 2022
Lori, So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family!
sheila Barton Sanders
August 13, 2022 | Birch Tree | Friend
Our hearts are there with you all. Hillje was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. Fly High, Brother
Harold and Patty Cook
August 13, 2022 | Mountain View, MO | Family
K'Reesa, I wish I had the chance to meet your Daddy. He sounds like such a salt of the earth Texas man who lived a great life and made the world a better place because he was in it. I see he passed on so much to you! We're so sorry for your loss. Sending our love and prayers to you and your family.
Mikaela & Ron Rios
August 11, 2022 | Spring Branch, TX | Friend
Group of 10 Trees
Lark & Dan, Mikaela & Ron
August 11, 2022
Group of 10 Trees
The Kettler Family
August 11, 2022
Prayers and thoughts are with all of you as you celebrate "Pops" life
Ken & Cindy Street
August 11, 2022
Group of 10 Trees
David & Kim Currie
August 11, 2022
James “Jim” Douglas Hillje passed away August 5, 2022. He was born on September 14, 1947, in Cotulla, Texas at Myers Hospital to Fred and Tillie Hillje.
Jim was born and raised on The Hillje Ranch, 20 miles southeast of Cotulla from which he never ventured far. Little Jimmy was the youngest of six and he learned to rope, ride, brand, hunt, and garden alongside his dad and brothers. He was known by many names – Dad, Pops, Hillje, El Coyote, Jimbo, Jim, Jimmy, Jimmy Jo, Jaime Jose but mostly just Hillje.
Jim began his career in 1969 with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department from which he retired in 2001. He continued his passion for nature and wildlife by managing many ranches in La Salle County and surrounding counties.
Jim was loved by all who knew him and will be missed greatly. His smile and infectious laugh were some of his signature trademarks. His easy going demeanor made him a joy to be around. He loved spending time with family and friends, but especially loved watching his grandchildren grow and mature. He was an excellent cook who never needed to measure ingredients. He was also an incredible handyman with the ability to fix anything with some baling wire and duct tape.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Tillie Hillje, and his brothers, Jud and Freddy. He is survived by his wife, Lori “Honey” Hillje, daughter, K’Reesa “Sis” (Jimmy) Coley, of Canyon Lake, Texas: son, Jeremy (Kristi) Hillje of Weimar, Texas; grandchildren, Carlisle Coley, Hannah Hillje and Hudson Hillje; sisters, Margaret Ann Strickhausen, Mary Jo Choate, and Agnes Fulbright; sisters in law, Peggy and Kay Hillje: and numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
The family will be receiving guests at 10:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held August 13, 2022, at the Alexander Convention Center in Cotulla, Tx. starting at 11:00 a.m. Please dress casually. We will share stories and provide lunch. The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Dr. Clark Kardys; the ICU nurses at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital & Natanya Cooper. The loving care that these compassionate people provided will be forever remembered.
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