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Harry Hillaker Obituary
Funeral: 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.
Memorials: The family requests donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (www.ocrf.org) to support research for a cure of the ovarian cancer that lead to the untimely death of Harry’s daughter, Stephanie Hillaker McDaniel.
Harry was born May 9, 1919, in Flint, Mich. A graduate of Flint Northern High School, he studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Michigan. He began working for Consolidated Aircraft (later General Dynamics) in San Diego in 1941 as a draftsman/design engineer. In 1942 he was transferred to the company's newly established Fort Worth division, where he was involved in the preliminary and advanced design of every major aircraft produced until his retirement in 1985. He married Betty Jo Devaney of Fort Worth on Oct. 2, 1943, and they raised six children.
To the world, Mr. Hillaker will be remembered mainly as an aeronautical engineer. He was one of the main members of the "Fighter Mafia" that conceived and developed the F-16, and he led the design team at General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the innovative lightweight fighter jet. He was the chief project engineer for the advanced versions of the F-16 and became vice president and deputy program director for the F-16 XL in 1980. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1990 and served two terms as chairman of the aerospace vehicles panel of the U.S. Air Force's Scientific Advisory Board.
To his friends and family, Mr. Hillaker will be remembered as a warm, friendly, kind and generous man with sparkling blue eyes, bushy eyebrows and a keen sense of humor. He was known to his family as Daddy-O. He loved golfing and traveling, and his close-knit family remained the most important thing in the world to him.
Mr. Hillaker's eldest child, Stephanie McDaniel of Albuquerque, preceded him in death in 2007.
Survivors: His beautiful bride of 65 years, Betty; son-in-law, Dillon McDaniel of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter, Victoria Harrell and husband, Howard, of Conroe; daughter, Deborah Currier and husband, Phil, of Del Mar, Calif.; son, Eric Hillaker and wife, Susan, of Fort Worth; daughter, Missy Gillespie and husband, Jack, of Fort Worth; son, Harry Hillaker Jr. and wife, Michele, of Des Moines, Iowa; 27 grandchildren; 16 spouses of grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and brother, John Hillaker of Fort Worth.
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Memories and Condolences
for Harry Hillaker
Jo (Walker) Morrison
February 27, 2009
Living across the street from you for so long made me feel like you were almost another family to me. You're in my prayers now and always.
Benjamin Brown
February 16, 2009
What an honorable legend, who gave so many the ability to protect our country in one of the finest fighters ever designed. All of us, active and non active military owe him our gratitude.
Thank you Sir.
Former USMC
Dwayne Holden
February 15, 2009
The world will remember Harry Hillaker for being the father of the F 16. I also remember him as a good neighbor, helping me when my dad was out of town. He talked to me as a friend and neighbor when I saw him at GD. I feel so honored to have known such a creative man who helped the world as my neighbor. May God bless his family.
Bob Frye
February 15, 2009
When I first came to work at Consolidated Vultee right out of graduate school, I was impressed with the quality of the "old hands" from San Diego--Bob Widmer, Red Maske, Chuck Savage, and Harry. Over the years I was fortunate to have worked on most all of the advanced design programs and as a result had the opportunity to be associated with Harry on several of them. He was a delight to work with and a generally all around good guy.
In addition, he made a great contribution to aviation --he stuck by his ideas and made things happen. We will miss him a lot'
Thunderbirds and the
Sam Acosta
February 14, 2009
My sympathy goes to the family of a truly legendary aircraft designer such as Mr. Hillaker.
From a big fan of his design, and a follower of the F-16's news and information.
Sam Acosta
www.rfsm.net
Joe Cameron
February 14, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Harry will be remembered by me for the great joy and fun I had playing golf with him at Ridglea. His Skills,Talents, and Knowledge made major contributions to the safety of our great country.
Thanks Harry for all you have done for all of us. We will miss you.
Laurie Still
February 13, 2009
All my condolences are with the Hillaker/Gillespie family.
I hope your memories and wonderful thoughts sustain you through the days to come. A father is a difficult person to lose in your life.
Vickie Hall
February 13, 2009
John,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the passing of your dear brother. I came to work at General Dynamics in the same office as you and Dorothy in 1979. I still remember coming with Dorothy and Ray to your house that one Christmas time. May God comfort and bless you and your family.
Vickie Lanier Hall
Susan Stevenson
February 13, 2009
Betty, Missy and all Harry's family:
My condolences to all of you. Mr. Hillaker was a wonderful man, first and a great leader in aviation second. I grew up with Missy but knew of Betty and Harry through my father-in-law "Big Steve" Stevenson. I feel that Steve now has another buddy to draw planes with in Heaven. If someone from the family will e-mail me I found some cool pictures of Steve's from the years in San Diego with Harry and the "guys" that the family may not have seen and I would love to share them with you.
You were blessed to have Harry in your lives.
Love,
Susan Stevenson
"D-Bell" Bell
February 12, 2009
Harry, may your wings blend with fuselage, your trust to weight ratio remain positive, your "static margin" only be negative and controlled by the respect and love all F-16 pilots have for you. Pitty the other angels where you now fly. Cause I know you are improving their aerodynamics.
Lee O'Hara
February 12, 2009
For Betty--you and Harry did a great job being together and raising such a beautiful family. I know all of you will miss him--but he is still with you in your thoughts and prayers.
Walter Boyne
February 12, 2009
Mr. Hillaker's enduring contributions to aviation will never be forgotten--especially by the Free World!
Tom Clark
February 12, 2009
To Harry's Family:
In my early career I had the great privilege of working for Harry for a couple years. I learned that if I waited until 6:30 or 7 PM and had a good leading question, he was glad to help. Out would come the folders, the trade studies, wind tunnel data, and the tablet, and by 9 PM, I'd had a design class a doctoral student would die for. That he was so willing to teach others is something I will never forget. He was a fine man.
Jay Miller
February 12, 2009
One of my favorite quotes best summarizes my very fond memories of a great aeronautical engineer and an extraordinary human being, "The great man shows his greatness by the way he treats the little man." I am one little man who will never forget you.
Ganey W. "Brad" Bradfield
February 12, 2009
I worked closely with Harry on the F-16, a few prior designs, and MANY subsequent ones. He is one of the most significant airplane designers of the twentieth century. I will miss you Harry, but the many fond memories I have of you are there for eternity. You got your nickel's worth in this round. See you on the other side.
Salud
Daddy-O with the Fort Worth granddaughters in tow (L-R: Whynn, Mia, Erin and Hayley)
Hayley Gillespie
February 12, 2009
Daddy-O, remember when we got pulled over on the way to Albuquerque because you had your Michigan "F-16 JET" plates on the front and your Texas plates on the back? Good times!
I love you so much and am so lucky to have grown up in Fort Worth with you and Gam close by. Thank you for your generosity and love and for always making us laugh. I can't imagine life without you, but you'll always be in my heart.
You're pretty neat, and you've got potential!
Love, Hayley Bayley
John Hillaker
February 12, 2009
Harry-Your many accomplishments are listed by friends and acquaintances but your greatest
accomplishment is your devoted family. Your families love, devotion
and unselfish care giving is indeed inspiring to all who witness. I'm very
honored to have you as a brother.
Tim Roels
February 11, 2009
BETTY AND FAMILY--It was an honor and priveledge to work with Harry and also have him as a friend. Taking him to Floida to visit F-16 units and play golf was one of the highlights of my career--He is a true legend in the aviation industry. I think of him everyday as the " electric jets" fly over our home.
May God Bless you and your family and shine in Harry's honor.
Drew Steketee
February 11, 2009
My brother-in-law, who flew in the B-58 at Carswell, brought me into aviation. As a young aviation PR professional in the 1980s, I got to meet and question Harry at the Aviation/Space Writers Association about problems with the B-58. "We misfigured the aeroelasticity of the tail," he said in shocking honesty. That explained part of it. And I never forgot him. Great man. As in much of Texas aviation heritage, not nearly celebrated enough.
And it's about more than the F-16.
Drew Steketee, former president, The BE A PILOT Foundation, Sr. VP - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), founder - CAP Historical Foundation
Joseph J. Lanza,Sr.
February 11, 2009
A great man responsible for a great airplane. It was a honor to be in his presence.
Greg and Jackie Grace
February 11, 2009
Farewell Harry! You will be missed.
But your spirit lives on in the lives of your large and loving family.
Congratulations on a life well lived!
Steve "Tiger" Victor
February 11, 2009
I'm at a loss of words... I can't believe that you are gone. You have been a great part of my life. I am very proud of your accomplishments in life. I couldn't have asked for more in a Grandfather. I miss you!
Randy Jayne
February 11, 2009
To Harry's family--
This great man was a patient and persistent coach and mentor in my first "rookie" years at General Dynamics, in the early 1980's, and even before that, I had had the privilege on the govt side of working with him in the 70's during the "birth" of the Viper. He was both a genius and an amazing gentleman, able to deal with the largest of ego's, both on his company's and customers' sides! He will always be remembered for all of that, and more! Fox-2!
Susan Kalkofen
February 11, 2009
To the family of Mr. Hillaker, I met Mr. Hillaker one day while I worked in security processing clearances at General Dynamics. He was very kind to me and gave me his autograph on an F-16 photograph. I still have it and plan on framing it. He mentioned to me that he might write a book and name it "Sweet Sixteen". I have looked for 20 years for this book. I really admired a man with so much fortitude and tenancity. I am sorry for your loss.
Susan Kalkofen
Ex-Employee of General Dynamics
1984-1989
Security Building
Forth Worth, TX
Beth Christensen
February 11, 2009
Godspeed to a fellow Michigan alum and the father of the incredible F-16.
Erin Henslee
February 11, 2009
I miss you terribly but even in your death my heart fills with joy and pride thinking of my Daddy-O.
Wayne Thacker
February 11, 2009
Thank you Mr.Hillaker for your insight and devotion to your aircraft that made so many of us proud of our work and our city. I can see from the loving entries that this effort was second to the love of your family. God bless you all in your loss. We all have a legacy to remember and look up to in so many ways.
Perry Whitten
February 10, 2009
I was fortunate to be cutting my teeth in the Aerodynamics group at General Dynamics during the heady days of the F-16 development and to be associated with Harry and the other old-salt aerodynamicists who mentored me. Harry was by far a great fighter designer (a visionary), and leader, more importantly, a really nice guy. The Aerospace industry has lost a true great one! But we (the company, the community, and the country) were blessed to have the use of his talents and to have benefited greatly from the products he produced. There will not be many like him in the aerospace world again soon.
Brenda Devaney
February 10, 2009
To Harry's family,
What a legacy! Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts will remain with all of you.
Dan and Brenda Devaney
(Joe Devaney's oldest son and wife)
Katie Sarber
February 10, 2009
89 years seems all too short to us all! We miss you so much Daddy-O! I thank you for being such a wonderful grandfather, and an amazing role model. I wouldn't be where I am, serving my own purpose for our country as an AF physician, without having had you to look up to. I love you so much, and I hope you've joined mom in Heaven.
Charles Liang
February 10, 2009
To the father of the F-16 Have Glass Program who had stealthily spared one man-month of budget from the F-16XL project in 1978.
Gina McDaniel Tarver
February 10, 2009
Oh, Daddy-o! How I miss you already. You were a great man, but an even greater grandfather (and great-grandfather). The world may remember the F-16 as your greatest legacy, but to me your greatest gift was the creation of a wonderful, strong, loving family (86 people and still growing). I am honored to be a part of it.
DUBS
February 10, 2009
Thanks for the Viper, you have have made a lasting impact on me, the USAF, and the world.
Steven Hodge
February 10, 2009
I worked at GD while Mr. Hillaker was there but didn't meet him until after he retired while working with Burt Rutan on another project. Harry was always wanting to do the next "right" thing in aviation. He was a true asset to this country and will be missed......thank you Harry......
Bjørnar Bolsøy
February 10, 2009
From safely bringing back thousends of pilots from their missions to sowing the seeds for countless childhood dreams around the world, there can be no doubt about the accomplishment and influence of his ideas, visions and efforts. A salute to a legend.
Bjørnar Bolsøy
Oslo
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