William “Billy” Hillier, III, 46, of Oneida, passed away at 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
Billy was born June 24, 1975, the son of William Hillier Jr. and Sharon Louderman and grew up in the Knox County area. Billy met the love of his life, Christina Holeman, in 1994 and together they created a loving, caring, and happy family in Oneida. He taught himself to play guitar at a young age and also loved to sing, following in his father’s footsteps. Billy enjoyed playing darts and watching UFC, MMA, and boxing matches. He was a great father who relished in teasing his family relentlessly, but he loved them more than anything.
Left to cherish Billy’s memory is his father, William (Tish Richards) Hillier, Jr. of Oneida; his mother, Sharon Louderman of Galesburg; his longtime partner of twenty-eight years, Christina Holeman of Oneida; two sons, William “Billy” Hillier IV of Galesburg and Matthew Hillier of Oneida; one daughter, Alyssa Hillier of Oneida; one step-daughter, Kara Holeman of Monmouth; and two granddaughters, Paisley and Willow Hillier. He is also survived by two sisters, Kelly (Zach) Parmenter of Galesburg and Lisa (Morgan) Carlson of Belton, MO; two step-sisters, Malissa Sanders of Oneida and Lucinda Freeman of Portage, IN; maternal grandmother, Joyce Louderman of Galesburg; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Billy was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Marianne and Bill Hillier; his maternal grandfather, Gene Louderman; one uncle, Tab Hillier; and one cousin, Kris Hillier.
Billy was a kind and generous person who will be fondly remembered for his beautiful smile. His caring and giving spirit continued on by being a donor through Gift of Hope.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Eulogies will be read at 7 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Big Catz BBQ in Knoxville, following the visitation from 7 to 10 p.m. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation. Memorials may be made to his children. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
