Robert Toombs Hilsman, Jr.

Robert Toombs Hilsman, Jr., age 88, of Morgan County, passed away at the Madison Health and Rehab on May 5, 2025.  Most knew him as “Jr” while his family called him “Pa-Pa”.  He was the son of the late Robert T. Hilsman, Sr. and Dorothy Lancaster Hilsman.  He was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1936, and at the age of four, his family moved to Morgan County.  Jr. served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958.  During his service in Salina, Kansas, he met his devoted wife of 62 years, Betty Lou Trostle Hilsman, who preceded him in death on March 11, 2020.

Throughout his life, Jr. held tightly to his roots, growing up on a dairy farm alongside his siblings.  After serving in the Air Force, he returned home and made a career in dairy farming.  He loved fishing, running a bulldozer or tractor, or being busy with anything that kept him outdoors.  He could cook the best bar-b-que and stew and enjoyed putting on events to serve it.  His favorite hobby for many years was woodworking, building boxes, furniture and many other items from cedar.

Jr. Hilsman is survived by his three children: Marvin Lee Hilsman (Beckie), Danny Joseph Hilsman (Denise) and Debbie Ann Hilsman Vaughan (William);  grandchildren: Shanna Addison (Drew), Jessica Stanley (Billy), Jill Thompson (Jeff), Ashley Mercardante (Vince), Eric Vaughan (Alex), Shawn Hilsman and Paige Hilsman and many great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his siblings, Merry Faulkner and David Hilsman, while his brothers, Donald and Jerry, preceded him in death.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Toombs Hilsman, Jr., please visit our floral store.