Armond L Hillock

Armond L. Hillock, 96, of Fort Gratiot, died Saturday, July 14, 2018.

He was born June 23, 1922 in Burtchville Township to Otto and Bessie Hillock. Armond graduated Croswell High School in 1940 and started his career at Michigan Bell Telephone Company that year. He was drafted into the Army in January 1943 and served in General Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and later received past due medals for this service. His Army service ended in January 1946 and he returned to Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Armond met Catherine McLaren at a dance in Sarnia after he returned from his Army service. They married September 6, 1947. Catherine predeceased him last year; 1 week before their 70th wedding anniversary.

During Armond’s career with Michigan Bell Telephone Company, he worked in the Algonac, Harsens Island, Marine City, St. Clair, Marysville and Port Huron areas. He was promoted to exchange repair supervisor in 1952. He retired in 1982. Armond also was a member of the Rotary Club. He was president of the Algonac Rotary Club in 1960 and later transferred his membership to the St. Clair Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Award. After retirement, Armond continued to attend his Rotary meetings. He was very proud of his Rotarian membership and enjoyed the many worthwhile activities as well as the fellowship and friendship of the members.

Also after retirement, Armond and Catherine had a motor home and they traveled all around the country; even attending a Rotary convention in Texas. They also took a trip to Europe. The story here is that while in England, Armond decided to find out if a lady he met during the war, and who had sent him a “dear John” letter, was still around. He went to her father’s pub and inquired about her. A short time later, she arrived and it was a wonderful reunion. Armond introduced her to Catherine and this started a friendship with Ivy coming to the United States for visits. Sadly, her husband was a pilot and died late in the war. Armond and Catherine also went to Scotland twice to visit Catherine’s family.

Armond and Catherine were golfers and went on many golfing trips with friends and family. They had a membership at Willow Ridge. Armond was also a hunter, but his favorite was deer hunting. His family had a rustic cabin in Newberry for many years where he would go with his father, brothers and other relatives. For the last years, he hunted near home on Hillock property in Jeddo with his son Robert. Other special times for him were when he went to Iowa a couple of times for pheasant hunting with his son-in-law, Jack, and two trips deer hunting in Colorado. Armond used to pheasant hunt and also duck hunt off a small island he owned in Lake St. Clair.

Armond was predeceased by his wife Catherine; his parents; brothers, Harold, Donald, Alex and Darrell and their wives; and grandson, Bryan Repp. He is lovingly survived by his children, Sandra (Jack) Walczak, James (Deb) Hillock, Suellen (Stephen) Claflin and Robert (Angela) Hillock; 8 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.

The family greatly appreciated the loving care and support given to Armond and Catherine by Blue Water Lodge, Heartland Hospice and Kelly Jones and her staff of Around the Clock Home Care.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, 912 Lapeer Avenue.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2018 in First United Methodist Church, 828 Lapeer Avenue, with visitation one hour prior. Armond and Catherine were members of the church in Port Huron for over 50 years and were married there.

Burial will follow at Burtchville Township Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be James Hillock, Robert Hillock, Jack Walczak, Mark Walczak, Christopher Walczak and Elijah Villanueva.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Men’s Group. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com