Donald 'Donnie' Richard Hillman, Jr. Obituary (1958 - 2025)

Born Apr 26, 1958, Donald 'Donnie' Richard Hillman, Jr. attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, MD. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Donald 'donnie' Richard Hillman, Jr..

Graduation Year	Class of 1976
Date of Birth	Apr 26, 1958
Date of Passing	Mar 16, 2025
About	Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Christian; his loving daughter, Danielle Hillman, and son-in-law, Khalid Benali; and his stepson, Justin Christian, along with his wife, Melissa Christian, and their children, Jordan and Chloe. He is also survived by his cherished brother, Rodney Hillman, and his wife, Kathleen Houlihan; his nephew, Taylor Hillman, and his wife, Allie Hillman; his niece, Elizabeth Hillman; his aunt, June Mettee, and her husband, Bradley Mettee; his cousins, Jill Kramer and her husband, Tim Kramer, and Jodi Cobb and her wife, Judy Fulmer; and his beloved puppy, Louise (Lulu Beans). Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Sr. and Shirley Hillman; brother, Kenneth Hillman; sister-in-law, Joanne Hillman; and cherished dog, Thelma (T-Bird). Donnie was a classic car enthusiast. He loved restoring vintage automobiles, including his beloved 1966 Ford Mustang. When he wasn’t in the garage, Donnie could be found on the golf course, enjoying the challenge and camaraderie of the game. Donnie also had a deep love for softball. He not only played the game himself but spent over a decade as a dedicated coach for his daughter Danielle’s softball teams. His commitment to the sport and to Danielle’s development as a player culminated in one of their proudest moments together - winning the 16 and under National Championship at Disney World. Donnie’s patience, passion, and guidance left a lasting impression on everyone he coached, and the experience remains one of Danielle’s fondest memories of her father. Donnie’s passion for sports started at a young age as a member of the Howard High School football team - a true Maryland sports dynasty in the 1970’s. Donnie played during the team’s historic era, contributing to its legendary 47-game winning streak. This remarkable achievement included state championships and national recognition. Howard High became a dominant force in Maryland high school football, known for its toughness, skill, and unity. Donnie took immense pride in being part of that brotherhood and carried the lessons of teamwork, grit, and excellence with him throughout his life. Donnie's love for learning was unmatched. He held a Doctorate in Management, a Master of Science in Human Resources, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He dedicated his life to education - not only as a lifelong student but also as a mentor and professor. Donnie shared his wisdom with graduate students at Shepherd University in West Virginia, shaping the minds of future business leaders with both knowledge and heart.
Events	A memorial service for Donnie will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at MMP, Inc., 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075, followed by a receiving of family and friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donnie's memory can be made to Wounded Warrior Project & Tunnel to Towers Foundation.