James Stuart Hillebrandt

James (“Jim”) Stuart Hillebrandt
Born in Madison, Wisconsin on January 8, 1933 (Youngest child)
Died in Altamonte Springs, Florida on February 25, 2025
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Creta; and son, John; and daughter, Teresa

Parents: Herbert & Georgia (Cash) Hillebrandt (deceased)
Brothers: John; Twin brothers- Donald & Gerald (deceased)
Sister: Joan (deceased)

When Jim was born, his father worked at the Madison Fire Department.
The family then moved to San Antonio, TX for 2 or 3 years (1935 -1938) - Jim’s Father, Herb, worked as a representative of American Federation of Labor.
The family moved back north to Columbus, Ohio (1938/39) - Herb worked as Safety Director for the State of Ohio.

1939- 1947 Attended grade school at Holy Rosary Catholic School
Lived on Berkley Rd. Columbus, Ohio
1947 Family moved to Georgesville, OH. (suburb of Columbus)
1947-1951 Attended Grove City High School ( Grove City)
took bus to school -10 miles. Member of football team.
1951 Worked in a Slaughter House for a few months with his friend, Jim Ely
1951 August: Joined Marines with friend, Jim Ely
1951-1953 U.S. Marine Corp.
Parris Island, SC. - 16 weeks boot camp
Camp Lejeune, NC. - Training in plumbing
San Francisco CA. - Marine Depot Supply - Military Warehouse
Worked with Civil Service plumbers to maintain plumbing
in complex & in boiler room
1953 (Oct) Honorable discharge - Took the train back to Columbus, OH.
1953-1959 Served in Inactive Reserves - Marine Corp.
1953-1955 Worked at Westinghouse in Columbus as a Tool & Dye apprentice
1955 Moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL with parents & brother John & wife, Mary
1955 Worked as a carpenter for Tom Crawford
1956 Worked for Southern Bell Telephone Co. (Frame Room)
1957 Married Creta Henninger; they had 2 children, John 1961; Teresa 1963
1957-1965 Worked for National Cash Register in Ft. Lauderdale
1965-1968 Moved to Salem, Oregon-worked in floor coverings-then cash registers
1968-1973 Moved to Portland, OR - Started Hillebrandt's Business Machines-Sales & Service of NCR Accounting Machines & Cash Registers
1973 Sold business to Partner, Frank Richards
1973-1986 Moved to Orlando, FL. - Started Central Business Machines
1986 Sold business to partner, Eugene Braddock
1986-1993 Started Artistic Piano Tuning & Jim's Home Repairs Business
2003 Retired - Age 70


Jim Hillebrandt - Marines Experiences
Written for a patriotic service at First Baptist Church of Maitland - June 28, 2009

I joined the Marines in the late summer of 1951, approximately six weeks after graduating from High School, and after I realized that no one seemed to want to hire an inexperienced 18 yr. old for a six figure income. I was not a Christian at this time but I was raised in a strict religious family. I had some goals set for my life, but I did not yet realize that God had a plan for my life. The Korean War was ongoing at this time. The draft was in effect and every young man had an obligation to serve his required time.

I already knew that a military career was not in my plans for the future. I chose the option extended to me by the U.S. Marine Corps recruiter to serve two years of active duty and four years of inactive reserve. Two weeks later I arrived at Parris Island, SC boot camp - a foreboding place not unlike Alcatraz - where I was to undergo 16 weeks of intense training to test my mettle. From sun up to sun down it was go, go, go--testing mental, moral, physical and emotional stamina. There was pain involved, but it was good pain. I was taught many valuable lessons that would carry me throughout my life. The Marines’ motto, "Semper Fidelis," represents fidelity, which means “always faithful.” I was taught respect for authority, hard work, honesty, integrity, faithfulness, and by all means: dependability. My fellow Marines’ lives would depend on it.

I learned a love for my country and for my fellow Marines. The Marines taught pride in what you do and who you are, and a realization that if you have nothing worth dying for, you have nothing worth living for. All these experiences would dovetail into God's plans for my life.

In my two-year stay in the Marines, I did not get to see the world or perform any acts of heroism, nor experience any bloody battles, nor undergo any loss of limbs. For all of that I am very thankful, but it definitely prepared me for life.

My time spent in the Marines had much to do with how God would eventually draw me closer to Him with His amazing love and grace. God would give to me the gift of faith in His Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I would be convicted of my sin and I would receive Christ as Savior and Lord who is my only hope for eternal life.

My time is up and further testimony will have to wait for another time.

To God alone be the Glory.
Jim Hillebrandt 

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