Eugene Hillman Sr.

Eugene Lee Hillman Sr. COEBURN, Va. Eugene Lee Hillman Sr., born Dec. 17, 1924, in Dungannon, Va., went home to be with the Lord on July 25, 2010, at his home with his children by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Carmel and Ollie Ruth Hillman; sister, Ruth; brothers, Sid, Dwight and Warren Hillman Jr.; and his beloved wife of 51 years, Bernice Yeary Hillman. Gene was a beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, father, papaw and friend to many. He is survived by six children: three sons, Lee Hillman Jr. and wife, Sandi of Hazard, Ky., Chaplain Randy Hillman and wife, Wanda of Winston-Salem, N.C., Jimmy Hillman of Wise, Va.; three daughters, Cathy Smith and husband, Jeff of Glade Spring, Va., Libbey Hale and husband, David of Coeburn, and Teresa Meade and husband, Glenn of Coeburn; 13 grandchildren, Warren Hillman, Dreama Hale, Cindy Burns, Windy Hillman, Michael Toohey, Daniel Toohey, Jenny Brannon, Erin Hillman, Aaron Hillman, Joshua Meade, David Hale Jr., Daniel Hale and Ashley Hale; 20 great-grandchildren, Kolby, Kaden, Kolin and Kison Hillman, Garrett and Megan Hale, Hunter and Aubrey Hillman, Katelyn and Cory Hillman, Kaley and Evan Brannon, Gavin Burns, Whitney Hale and Alexa Hale, Cienna Draughn, Colton and Jade Hale, Kiley Beeler and Hayden Anderson; one brother, Dave Hillman and wife, Ima; sister, Betty Sue Cole; sister-in-law, Shirley Hillman; brother-in-law, Buddy Yeary and wife, Janice; sister-in-law, Frances Huffman; many special nieces, nephews, lifetime friends and a devoted companion, Gypsy. Dad was a lifetime member of 60 years of the Fincastle Masonic Lodge. He was vice-president of purchasing at Pittston Coal for 35 years, as well as vice-president of Erwin Supply Company. He was radio man first Class on the USS Omaha of the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was an active and dedicated member of the Virginia Phone Net as amateur radio operator for 50 years as 2W4MJH. He served as a trained spotter with the National Weather Service. Gene was an avid fisherman on Cherokee Lake, loved God's creatures, nature and creation. He was a faithful member of the Dungannon United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, 310 Sixth St., NW, Coeburn, VA. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with Dr. Todd Castle and Chaplain Randy Hillman officiating. Graveside services will be conducted noon Thursday, July 29, 2010, at the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va., with Masonic Rites and military rites by our local VFW members and Virginia National Guard. Family and friends will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery, leaving at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be grandsons and sons-in-law, Warren Hillman, Michael Toohey, Daniel Toohey, Joshua Meade, Aaron Hillman, Garrett Hale, David Hale, Glenn Meade and Jeff Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Kolby Hillman, Kaden Hillman, Kolin Hillman, Kison Hillman and Gavin Trey Burns. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Dungannon United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 384, Dungannon, VA 24245; Wellmont Hospice Care; or charity of one's choice. Sturgill Funeral Homes, 310 Sixth St., NW, Coeburn, VA 24230, in charge of arrangements.