Blair Hillman

Blair Hillman, 39, from Long Beach, California, and formerly from Wynot, died Jan. 19 after a short illness. Leave it to Blair to enter and exit this world on the same day - he always had a way of being unique.

There will be an open house Feb. 15 at the Wynot Fire Hall from 4 to 8 p.m. A memorial service and video tribute will be at 5:30 p.m., for his family and friends. He was a Wynot boy, he was proud of coming from Nebraska.

A celebration of life was held Jan. 24, at Joe Josts Pub, in Long Beach.

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Blair was born Jan. 19, 1981, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, to Ted and Susie Hillman. He grew up in Wynot and graduated from Wynot High School in 1999. He went on to Wayne State College and then to University of Nebraka Lincoln. Blair went on to lead an interesting life full of music, adventure, travel, gardening and sports. He was a fanatic fantasy football player. His favorite teams were the Cornhuskers, Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys. He loved Kirby Puckett. He loved to make hot sauce, moonshine and music.

Blair moved from Lincoln to southern California in spring 2006 to pursue his music. With a one-year return to Nebraska after a six-year hiatus from school, Blair received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science from UNL in 2011.

Blair married Sarah Higgins on Nov. 11, 2015, after being best friends and partners for 14 years before that. They were a perfect complement to each other. Sarah was his number one fan and supporter.

Blair was a passionate and talented musician. He blessed the world through his music with his bands Brown Eye, Maggie, Great Big Things and Party Jams. While Blair will not be in our lives physically, those who love him will continue to hear his wonderful voice and spirit through his music.

Blair is survived by his wife, Sarah of Long Beach; parents, Ted and Susie Hillman, Crofton; siblings, Tara (Mitch) Strathman, Randolph; Haley (Brett) Schmidt, Crofton; Tedsen Hillman, Vermillion, South Dakota; niece, Rori; nephews, Reece, Ryker and Beck; grandfather, Alvin Sudbeck; in­ laws, Rich and Janice Higgins, Bow Valley; Ryan (Nikki) Higgins, St. Helena; Rachel (Josh) Hladik, Valparaiso; Kelsie (Devin) Wieseler, Bow Valley; nieces, Shaelee and Ada; nephews, Anson, Cameron and Hendrix and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Blair was preceeded in death by his maternal grandmothers Terry Sudbeck and Pat Sudbeck; paternal grandparents, Blair and Mary Ann Hillman and cousin, Tyler Ummach.