Don Stuart Hillier, 84, of Pasadena, Maryland passed on Monday, December 20, 2021. He was born on May 3,1937 in Woodbury, New Jersey to the late A. Russell Hillier and Mildred Shiek Hillier. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Joan Gavin Hillier.

His family was the joy of his life. He felt that it was his responsibility to provide for them—not only financially but also in teaching them life lessons. He shared with his family his love of being in, on, and around the water which he had learned from his parents. He also taught them valuable life skills. With age and as his disease progressed, it became more difficult to perform the tasks he enjoyed. Don took pleasure in simply being with this family and staying involved in their lives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister Joan Montanari and spouse Pat Stanislaski, his daughter Cynthia Hall and her husband Donald Hall, his son Alfred Francis and wife Sandra Francis, his daughter Michelle Winkler; his grandchildren Christopher Heiner and wife Madison, Courtney Heiner, Barrett Hillier, Rebekka Hillier, Shelby Sanzone and husband Jonathan Sanzone, Taylor Francis, Joshua Francis, Richie Winkler, Megan Walton and husband Jared Walton, Aaron Hall, Adam Hall, Emilia Helfrich, Lee Helfrich, and Gianna Sanzone; great-grandchildren Marissa Schussler, Sydney Walton, and Jace Walton; his daughter-in-law Christine Heaton Helfrich and husband Wilhelm Helfrich, sister-in-law Patricia Phebus, brother-in-law Robert Gavin, several cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Paul Alan Hillier.

Don graduated from Lafayette University with a degree in Psychology. During his college years he enlisted in the Army for two years and was stationed with the Army Band in Hawaii. After graduating he spent most of his career working in Human Resources & Health Benefits for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Imperial Chemical Industries, The Franklin Mint, The Black & Decker Co., Maryland National Corporate Financial, CoreSource, Inc., and Don Hillier Associates before retiring. He served on the Maryland Hospitals Cost Review Commission under two different governors. He had a strong work ethic that led to many honors, awards, and acknowledgements too numerous to mention.

Don was involved in the Presbyterian Church for most of his life. In Maryland, he was a member of Christ our King Presbyterian, Maryland Presbyterian, and Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. He served the churches as Elder and Deacon, on Pastoral Nominating Committees, and the Human Resources ministry. He especially enjoyed singing in the choirs. Don led a ChristCare group for men. It was a source of camaraderie and a great support for him. He treasured their time together.

His life was more than simply a sum of all the parts. He was the calm in any storm and the rock on which many leaned. He has touched many lives and his family will pay it forward by remembering the things he taught us, the greatest being the importance of family. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life Service for Don is being planned for 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 3, at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Maryland.

Contributions may be made to the Woods Church Memorial Fund; the Michael J. Fox Foundation; the Parkinson's Foundation; or Rock Steady Boxing.