Walter H. Hillbrand
1954 – 2010

After 56 years of living on this earth, Walter H. Hillbrand went home. He had always enjoyed working with planes and so he filed a flight plan to fly in the clouds with God, Jesus and the angels in heaven. God gave him permission to take off for his journey on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 from his home in Stanwood, WA. His life was taken due to metastatic cancer.
Walter was born Sept. 18, 1954, in Zurich, Switzerland, to Walter Joseph and Sieglinde Maria Hillbrand. The family moved to Pennsylvania when Walter was 10. He became a naturalize citizen in1980.
Walter joined the Navy in 1975, and spent most of his time working on the jets for Top Gun in Miramar, CA, where he met and soon married Vicky Culver in1991.
After serving our country for 20 years he retired with an honorable discharge in 1995, Walter and Vicky packed up and moved to the Bay Area, where their two children were born shortly after the move, Walter worked for Alaska Airlines for almost 10 years; then moved to Stanwood, WA, where Walter worked for Boeing as an Inspector for the new 787 Dreamliner. He loved his job!
Walter was a character – a true one of a kind! He was never afraid to express his point of view about anything. His silly grin and good sense of humor were endearing to all who knew him. Walter was known for his patients, cooking, gardening, and for the love of his dogs. Although Walter had a difficult childhood, he overcame many obstacles, forged ahead, never gave up, and provided a comfortable life for his family that he dearly loved.
Walter Hillbrand is survived by his loving wife, of 19 plus years, Vicky and their children Sabrina (13) and Christopher "CJ" (12) Hillbrand of Stanwood; his daughter Erin (26) and her husband Chris Hendrix of Anaheim, CA. He is also survived by Aunt Vera Schimansky and Cousin Joe Schimansky of Maryland. Mother-in law Josephine Culver of Escondido, CA. Sister-in-laws Mary Culver of Escondido, CA and Christina her husband Mike and their daughter Morgan Lieser of Ridgecrest, CA; Brother-in-laws Bob his wife Andi and their children Kenny and Nikki Culver of Chino, CA and Joe his wife Kate and their children Jessica and Nathan Culver of Temecula, CA.
He is preceded in death by parents Walter J. and Sieglinde Hillbrand; and Father-in-law Robert Culver.
A Rosary and Mass took place at St Francis De Sales Catholic Church, in Riverside, CA on Tuesday, Dec 7, 2010. A full Military honored funeral service was held at Riverside National Cemetery, CA.
A celebration of Walter Hillbrand's life will take place at Gilbertson's Funeral Home in Stanwood, WA on Jan 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm. Join us after the celebration at The American Legion, Post 92. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite cancer foundation.
From Erin, Sabrina, and C.J., Daddy, we love you and will miss you dearly, but what a special reunion we will have in Heaven.
From your wife, for life, here on earth and in Heaven, I will miss you not only as my husband and a father BUT as my best friend ever. I am so blessed to have had you in my life. Wait for me at those pearly gates. ? Rest in Peace honey we know you will be watching over us and will do our best here on earth without you.