William ‘Bill’ Eugene Hileman
William "Bill” Eugene Hileman
William “Bill” Eugene Hileman passed away suddenly on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, after a tragic fall.
He is survived by his wife Susan Lacosta and his twin daughters Hayley and Holly; sisters Cindy Hileman (Terry AuClaire), Lisa Oliveria (Ray); brother Dan Hileman (Shelly Brander), along with many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill was born in Conrad on May 24, 1952, but soon moved to Kalispell. He graduated from Flathead High School and afterward from the University of Montana, where he went on to complete his juris doctorate at the University of Montana School of Law.
In high school, college, and law school, Bill was a drummer and singer in a band called Oaken Lyon. After moving to Whitefish, he and his friends formed a group called the “Average Brothers Band.” His musical career was a fun passion and gave him a lifetime of memories. During law school, Bill met fellow student and future wife Susan at a bar. With a six-pack of encouragement, Bill worked up the courage to ask her out — and the rest is history.
Bill moved to Whitefish in 1977 and began his career at Morrison & Hedman, soon becoming Hedman, Hileman and LaCosta, and later Treiweiler, Hileman and LaCosta. After working as an attorney for many years, Bill decided it was time to give back to the community he loved and ran for the position of municipal court judge, a position that gave him great fulfillment.
In addition to his work in the field of law, Bill spent countless hours serving his community. Some of these roles include serving as the president of the Northwest Montana Bar Association, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, United Way chairman and board member, Flathead County Economic Development Council, Whitefish City parking commission, and First Interstate Bank advisory board. He also participated as a board member for the Whitefish Winter Carnival and as carnival Prime Minister, a Rotary officer and board member, Whitefish Booster Club, Moose Lodge and Knights of Columbus.
As much as Bill enjoyed music, law, his friends and community, the greatest joy of his life was his “girls.” He felt outnumbered many times but would not have had it any other way. At the end of life, the final question is if a person had a good life — we know that he did.
Austin Funeral Home is caring for the family and services will be held at Risen Christ Church in Evergreen on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Whitefish Rotary “Magic of Whitefish” Christmas Toy Drive at Glacier Bank (319 2nd St. Whitefish, MT, 59937) in memory of Bill Hileman.