Ralph "Byron" Hillman

Ralph Byron Hillman was born on December 20, 1949, at Cottage Hospital in Burley, Idaho, the second child of J.B. and Peggy Hillman of Milner, Idaho. Given the name Ralph Byron Hillman at birth, he soon became known to family and friends as "Cookie," a nickname given to him by his older brother, Gary.

Ralph spent his early childhood in Cassia County, Idaho, beginning first grade in Burley. After living on several farms in the Milner and Murtaugh area, his family moved to Wendell, Idaho, where his father purchased an 80-acre farm. In the spring of 1960, the family relocated to Madras, Oregon, after his father accepted a position at the Jefferson County Plywood Mill. Madras became the hometown Ralph always considered his own.

As a young man, Ralph spent his summers working in the fields, hoeing weeds in mint fields, changing irrigation pipes, harvesting mint, and hauling hay and straw. Following his graduation from Madras High School, he attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls while living with his grandparents, Charlie and Allie Mae Stephenson.

On June 2, 1969, Ralph began his career in the United States Air Force. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and training as an Airframe Repair Technician at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, he was assigned to McChord Air Force Base in Washington and later to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, where he met and married Dang Summat.

Ralph later attended Computer Operations Tech School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas and continued his Air Force career as a computer operator. His assignments included McChord Air Force Base, Washington; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and Hahn Air Force Base, Germany.

Following his divorce in 1982, Ralph was awarded custody of his two children, Allen and Janette, and proudly raised them as a single parent. After 20 years of honorable service, he retired from the United States Air Force on July 1, 1989, and settled in Twin Falls, Idaho.

In 1992, after discovering karaoke, Ralph chose to begin going by his middle name, Byron. The following year he purchased his own karaoke system and began entertaining throughout Idaho and neighboring states. His performances took him to communities including Salmon, Challis, Stanley, Mackay, Boise, Salt Lake City, Wells, Nevada, Red River, New Mexico, Yuma, Arizona, and Madras, Oregon. Byron won numerous karaoke competitions, including the $500 grand prize at the Horseshoe Club in Jackpot, Nevada.

After providing entertainment at his 35th high school class reunion in 2003, Byron retired from traveling professionally and limited his performances to gatherings for family, friends, and church. Singing remained one of the greatest joys of his life, and in his later years he especially cherished using his musical talents to sing for the Lord at church.

Byron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charlie and Allie Mae Stephenson and George and Stella Hillman; his parents, J.B. and Peggy M. Hillman; his brother, Gary D. Hillman; his sister, Donna F. Hawkins; his son, Allen K. Hillman; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his brother, Steven W. Hillman of Hagerman, Idaho; his daughter, Janette K. Sallee (Donovan); his daughter-in-law, Heather Hillman, both of Kuna, Idaho; six grandchildren; three great-grandsons; the mother of his children, Dang B. Wilkins of Star, Idaho; his aunts; many cousins; nieces; and a nephew.

Ralph "Byron" Hillman will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his faithful service to his country, his love of music, and the joy he brought to others through his singing.

A committal service with military honors will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Boise.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Boise New Hope Church of the Nazarene, 8585 W. Overland Road, Boise, Idaho 83709.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.