Frank O. Hillier

Palmer resident Frank O. Hillier, 91, died Sept. 22, 2012, at Two Sisters Assisted Living Home in Palmer.

The Rev. Dan Grisham will officiate at committal services, with military honors. at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 1 at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Those attending, please meet at the Fort Richardson Arctic Valley Gate by 1:15 p.m. for escort to the cemetery.

Hillier was born May 17, 1921, in Hamlin, Texas. He attended Texas Tech for two years before the outbreak of World War II. He was a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and a pilot with the 391st Bomb Group, 9th Air Force in England and France, flying 37 missions against German forces in World War II. He came to Alaska in 1958 and homesteaded 160 acres in Willow, and resided there until moving into assisted living in May 2012.

An active HAM radio operator all of his adult lifetime, he anchored the Alaska Sourdough Radio Net during the ’60s and ’70s and into the ’80s. Hillier enjoyed airplanes and flying most of his life. He remained an active pilot and aircraft owner until age 80. He was well known for his generosity.

He loaned money to those in need. Sometimes they refused to repay him. His only comment regarding their obvious lack of appreciation was, “They have to live with that!”

Preceding him in death were his parents, Frank L. and Ruth M. Young Hillier.

Surviving are his wife, Eileen K. Hillier of Palmer; son, Thomas F. Hillier; grandsons, Todd T. (Hilary) Hillier and David C. Hillier; and great granddaughter, Tatum P. Hillier, all of Oakdale, Calif.

Arrangements were by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.