William W. Hilgeman

Bill Hilgeman of Kettering, Ohio passed away peacefully on September 19, 2013 at the age of 86. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis (Walsh) Hilgeman, his father, mother, and one sister. He is survived by his sister, Alice Litton (Loveland, OH), his brother, Charles Hilgeman, Jr. (Montgomery, OH), his sons Steve (Washington Court House, OH), Keith (Vine Grove/Fort Knox, KY), and Mark (Dayton, OH), two daughters–in-law, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and their families. Bill “Red” Hilgeman was a graduate of Norwood High School (Cincinnati) and Wilmington College, where he excelled in athletics and student government. He was a Navy veteran, having served on the U.S.S. Iowa in WWII. In the early 1950s he was the Recreation Director for the City of Xenia where he racially integrated children into sports programs, a feat that earned him the recognition of “Bill Hilgeman Day” for Xenia, Ohio on July 23, 2007. Bill also worked in personnel/human relations for Frigidaire and Globe Industries in Dayton, Ohio. Bill operated his own employment and personnel service, Hilgeman and Sons, for almost 45 years and finally retiring in 2011 at the age of 84. Bill performed personnel consulting for such companies as Tech Development and PDI, all in the Dayton area.
Viewing will be held at Hope United Methodist Church, 5980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, on Monday, September 23rd at 9:30 AM, followed by the funeral and graveside services at 10:30. The Rev. Victoria Powers-Smith will preside. A luncheon will follow. Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill Hilgeman may give to Hope United Methodist Church or to the United Way of Dayton, Ohio.