Lewis W. Hilligas

Lewis "Lew" W Hilligas, 87, of Grand Island, Nebraska passed away Monday, December 19, 2016, at Edgewood Vista surrounded by his family. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday December 23rd at Apfel Funeral Home. Minister Mike Reeves will be officiating. Burial will follow in Westlawn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m on Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Edgewood Vista, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Island, Central Nebraska Humane Society or to the family. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.



Lew was born on November 19, 1929, to Fred and Laura (Holcomb) Hilligas in Marquette, Nebraska. He graduated from Marquette High School in 1942. He joined the Air Force on December 28, 1950 and completed basic training in Wichita, Kansas and was stationed in San Francisco, California. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on December 3, 1954. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Killham, on July 17, 1952 in Reno, Nevada. To this union they were blessed with one son, Mark. Lew was an active father in all of Mark's activities while he was growing up. In 1960, he became co-owner/manager of Midwest Sheet Metal with his brother, Ken. Lew retired in 1994. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, acting as an usher and was involved in men's group and Bible study. He was a founding father of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Island and was instrumental in the organizations start and sustainability. He was a Champion of Hope for the children of Hall County and saw that thousands had mentors through the years. He was a Master Mason for Ashlar Lodge No. 33 for 50 years and later became a Shriner. He also was a member of the Third City Kiwanis Club and served as president over the years. Lew enjoyed fishing and hunting with family in Colorado and visiting his sister, Claudia Smith, in Texas. He enjoyed birdwatching and husker football. He also enjoyed spending time with his family especially watching his granddaughter, Amanda, in all her activities.



Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley, of 64 years; son and daughter in law, Mark and Kathy Hilligas of Grand Island; granddaughter, Amanda Hilligas; sister, Claudia Smith, of South Lake, Texas; brother in law and sister-in-law, Alford and Carol Killham of Grand Island; sister in law, Margaret Killham of Central City; his fur babies, Rocky and Rico; nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Hilligas; 6 brother-in-law's and 5 sister-in-law's.