Paul F. Hillman

Hillman, Paul F. CLEVERDALE, N.Y. Paul F. Hillman, 103, died Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Glens Falls Hospital after a brief illness. Born on December 2, 1904 in Easton, N.Y., he was the son of the late Frank H. and Ursula (Handy) Hillman. Mr. Hill-man attended Greenwich High School. On October 30, 1943, Mr. Hillman married the late Marie Lansing Hillman of Buffalo, N.Y. They were married for 56 years. Paul and his brothers, Niles, Albert, and Frank were men of vision who perceived the enormous potential of providing neighboring farmers and industry with swift, efficient, and economical transportation. In 1917, the brothers launched their enterprise at the family farm, Brotherhood Farms in Easton, first using a team of Belgian horses for power, and later acquiring a stakebody truck to haul milk in cans from farm to market. In 1932, the brothers formed Dairy Express and entered the long haul field, transporting bulk milk in a cork-insulated stainless steel tanker from Fort Edward to Yonkers, and innovation at the time because it was the first such unit put to work by a for-hire carrier. As business opportunities presented themselves, the operation expanded to include still other bulk commodities including all petroleum products, cement, propane and chemicals, in addition to highly-specialized transportation services, including twice the delivering of the nation's Christmas tree during the Johnson and Nixon administrations. As the operations grew, the brothers established Fort Edward Express Company, Inc., Northern Motor Carriers, Inc., Fort Edward Supply and Truck Service, Inc., 4-H Leasing Company, Inc., Diversified Trailer Group, Inc. and 4-Star Bulk Transport, Inc. Mr. Hillman offered his services to the Army on March 6, 1942, and was appointed head automotive adviser in the Quartermaster Corps of the Army at Pine Camp, N.Y. On June 25, 1942, he was commissioned captain in the Fourth Armored Division and assigned to the office of the automotive officer. He was transferred to the 126th Ordinance Maintenance Battalion of the Fourth Armored Division, and was engaged in training and maneuvers at Pine Camp, N.Y., Tenn., the Desert Training Center in Indio, Calif. and Texas, until December 29, 1944, when the 126th sailed overseas. After a further period of training and conditioning in England (in an area near Salisbury) the Battalion crossed the channel July 12, 1944, disembarking at St. Germain de Varreville. In support of the division, it moved rapidly across northern France, under artillery and air attack of the retreating Germans. Keeping pace with the combat units in the capture of Orleans, Mannes, Troyes, and Nancy, the battalion reached the Siegfried Line December 7, 1944, where it was ordered to a rest and maintenance period. This rest period was soon violently interrupted by the German winter offensive in the Ardennes, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Captain Hillman and his battalion did valiant service in severe action at Bastogne, which broke the German offensive. There followed a period of repair and replacement in Luxemburgh. The division moved into Germany on March 1, 1945, crossed the Rhine on March 24, and moved across Germany under attack, taking hundreds of German prisoners. They reached the Danube at Daggendorf on May 1, 1945, moved into Czecho-Slovakia on May 8, and remained there until May 27 when the division moved back into Germany and became a part of the Army of Occupation. During the period from the landing in France, the battalion received many citations and decorations. Captain Hillman received special commendation in England at the beginning of the invasion for superior work in the waterproofing of vehicles of the headquarters of the Third United States Army. He received the Bronze Star medal for meritorious service and exemplary devotion to duty from July 17 to December 10, 1945, and for this was specially commended. "During this period Captain Hillman personally convoyed the majority of the replacement vehicles from the supporting depots to the rapidly advancing Division. When available personnel for driving the replacement vehicles became critical, Captain Hillman personally drove vehicles from the depots to the fighting troops." For this, he was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster and cited for outstanding meritorious service. He was promoted May 6, 1945, to division ordnance supply officer. Captain Hillman returned to the United States on September 22, 1945, and was honorably discharged from active service on December 6, 1946. Commissioned a captain in the reserve, he was promoted to major on July 7, 1947, and honorably discharged April 1, 1953, at the termination of his reserve appointment. Mr. Hillman was one of the founding fathers of the New York State Motor Truck Association and the National Tank Truck Carriers of Washington, DC. He also helped with the planning and construction of the Adirondack Northway, Plattsburgh Air Force Base and Missile Silos. He was co-chairman of the Quaker Road project linking Route 9 with Hudson Falls. His memberships included the V.F.W., Elks, and American Legion. In 2006, Mr. Hillman received the New York State Military Museum Distinguished Veterans Award, an honor that Hillman was given when the award was inaugurated in that year. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Mary Ruby Marguerite Hillman Houser, and by five brothers, Burnett Hillman, Niles R. Hillman, Harvey Hillman, Frank Hillman, and Albert R. Hillman. Survivors include a son, Paul L. (Lance) Hillman and his wife, Judith Hoffman Hillman of Cleverdale, N.Y.; and two grandchildren, Annemarie L. Hillman of New Haven, Conn. and Kristina L. Hillman of Washington, DC; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Regan and Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury, N.Y. 12804. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the Caldwell Presbyterian Church in Lake George, N.Y., Rev. Shirley A. Mosholder officiating. Those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., and Rescue Squad, PO Box 61, Cleverdale, NY 12820, or to the Caldwell Presbyterian Church, 71 Montcalm Street, Lake George, NY 12845.