James F. Hilla
February 17, 1945 ~ August 14, 2016
Age 71 of Forest Lake. Loving Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, passed away suddenly on August 14, 2016. Preceded in death by brother, John. Survived by wife, Debbie; sons, Corey Brandon; siblings, Carol (John) Niesen, Julie (Dick) Peterson, Ralph (Ellen), Ann; sister-in-law Jackie (John) Hayes; many nieces, nephews, other relatives friends. A Celebration of Jims Life 10 AM Saturday August 27th at the Lakewood Memorial Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave. S. Minneapolis., with a visitation from 9:30 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family.
first gig
first gig
first gig
Jim and some of his Bystrom Brothers.
We’ll miss you buddy !
In the spring of 1995 I was hired to work with Len Splett and Jim Hilla in the Mill Shop at Bystrom Brothers. It was like being an extra in ‘Grumpy Old Men’. They were hilarious !
After Len retired Hilla became a little bored so I became the victim of many a practical joke by him and a certain welder. My bicycle suffered many “adjustments” and to this day I still check for water filled Dixie cups above strip light pull chains. He came up short when he’d try to mimic my Scottish accent though as he sounded like a Pakistani !
Jim was certainly a proud father, a loving husband and a good friend to many but I’d just like to point out what a fabulous craftsman he was. His attention to detail was unbelievable and if you couldn’t learn about machining from Jim then you were in the wrong business.
Jim Hilla was a living legend and will always bring a smile to all who knew him.
Thanks for everything Jim.
He was a GREAT friend. Always shared a smile, and laugh and LOTS of LOVE. Bringing lunch to my husband at work, we always were on the lookout to see him. Mark would have fries to share. Hilla(as we called him) would claim Mark as his son. Not sure how that happened. Jimmy we love and will miss you. Love until we meet again. -Denise Golder
Jim was much loved, and one could not find a truer friend. He was there for you, you could count on him, and he cared. I saw him as rock solid, he cared about people, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Respected at work, I think back to the hard-working Vietnamese machinists who looked up to Jim and especially honored him, inviting him to their traditionally cooked meals and events, almost like family. A sparkle in his eyes, Jim loved to tease and lighten a conversation… he brightened a room.
Generous in heart, in spirit and in action, he was a peacemaker—these are qualities that make a man. I knew Jim as a young man and talented musician. Now, listening to a classic rock tune from the 60’s or 70’s, I can easily picture Jim and his early love of music. On February 17th, Jim’s birthday, so close to Valentine’s Day, I always think of him.
Lovingly,
Myrna desMarais Begin