1944-2026
William Ray “Bill” Hillyard, 82, of West Des Moines, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 21, 2026. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines. Following the service, there will be a celebration of life and luncheon held at AMVETS Post No. 2, 2818 Fifth Ave., Des Moines, 50313, and casual dress is suggested. Memorial contributions may be left in Bill’s name to the Food Bank of Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
He was born on Aug. 8, 1944, in Des Moines to Vivian Bolich Grimes Hillyard and Edwin Ray Hillyard. Bill grew up in Des Moines and graduated from North High School. He was a proud Polar Bear, Class of 1962. He went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa, then known as Iowa Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, where he earned his B.A. teaching degree in mathematics with a minor in business education and accounting. He later continued his studies at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he earned both his master’s degree and his sixth-year professional degree in education administration and supervision. He was a lifelong learner who valued education not only as a profession but as a calling.
Bill devoted his life to teaching, mentoring and guiding students with patience, humor and high standards. He began his career at Blissfield Community Schools in Michigan, where he taught mathematics to students in grades nine through 12 from 1966 to 1969. He then traveled overseas to Institut Montana in Zugerberg, Zug, Switzerland, where he served as a mathematics instructor for grades six through 12 from 1969 to 1973. During that time, he also served as assistant dean of the American School, where his responsibilities included boarding school supervision, dormitory living, class scheduling and organizing tours and activities for students.
From 1973 to 1975, Bill taught at the American School of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he instructed students in grades seven through 12. He also served as head of the math department, director of testing for SAT, content mastery, and related programs, and director of student activities. He later taught at Greens Farms Academy in Greens Farms, Connecticut, where he was a math instructor for grades seven through 12, a ninth-grade adviser, a math team coach, and a work program organizer. At Wilton High School in Wilton, Connecticut, he served from 1982 to 2004 as a math instructor for grades nine through 12, director of student activities, student government adviser, and class adviser. He also wrote curriculum during the summers and directed ACT, SAT and PSAT testing, and he spent one summer working with the assistant superintendent as an intern for his degree program.
Bill also shared his knowledge as an adjunct instructor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he taught algebra, precalculus, finite math and calculus in both semesters and summers from 1983 to 1987. He later taught finite math and calculus at the University of Bridgeport from 1988 to 1989. His commitment to mathematics education extended beyond the classroom, as he coached for the Connecticut State Math Team in national competitions from 1979 to 2004. He helped prepare students for competition at Penn State, organized local math competitions throughout Connecticut, and wrote questions for both state and local school competitions. His students benefited not only from his knowledge but also from his encouragement and belief in their potential.
During his college summers, Bill worked at Crescent Beach Lodge in Milford, also known as Okoboji, where he managed the office at the lakeside resort in northwestern Iowa and cooked for the restaurant. That experience reflected the same work ethic and versatility that marked every chapter of his life. He was dependable, capable and always willing to help wherever he was needed.
Bill was a Christian whose faith was reflected in the way he lived and served others. He was known for his generosity and for the steady kindness he extended to those around him. He organized and served spaghetti dinners and worked in soup kitchens for many years, and he spoke often about those experiences because they mattered deeply to him. He also enjoyed playing in his church’s bell choir, where his love of music and fellowship found a natural home.
He had many interests that brought joy to his life. Bill loved the theater and music, and he attended hundreds of Broadway and off-Broadway productions over the years. He collected playbills from the shows he saw and could often be heard singing a show tune, sometimes pausing to ask others what show it came from. He was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the challenge and companionship the game provided. He also loved to travel and accompanied students on many trips to Berlin, Munich, Dubrovnik, Budapest, Paris, Rome, Verona, Venice, London, Moscow, Leningrad, Barcelona, Madrid and destinations throughout Scotland and Switzerland, as well as many places across the United States. His curiosity about the world and his joy in sharing it with students made those journeys especially meaningful.
Bill was a conversationalist. He loved to visit with anyone who would give him an ear.
Bill decided to purchase a home on Lake Panorama in the early 1980s. He would go there during his summer vacations from teaching where he spent valuable time with family and friends. He later demolished that home and built a new one on the same site. He hosted all of his family at this huge banquet of deliciousness for Thanksgiving each year until he sold his home and retired to West Des Moines.
Bill always had, by his side, man’s best friend… his dogs meant the world to him. Over the years, he had Maxwell, Euclid, Emma, Maxwell II, Emma II and now Kit. They were his children, and he loved them so.
Bill will be remembered as quirky, intelligent and generous. He had a quick wit, a sharp mind and a warm heart. He made an impression on students, colleagues, friends and family alike through his humor, his dedication and his genuine care for others. His life was one of service, learning and connection, and he leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew him.
He is survived by his sister, Sue Grimes Freerksen; his nieces and nephews, Tim Grimes, Barb Argenta (Mark Bishop), Jim Grimes (Deb), Chuck Grimes, Howard Freerksen (Jenni Scott), and Laura Stalzer (Jay); his great-nieces and great-nephews, Bailey Grimes, Michael Argenta, Mindy Argenta, Chaz Cawley, Kevin Grimes, Scott Grimes, Landon Stalzer, and Drew Stalzer; and his great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Evan Argenta and Savannah Davis; and his loving fur baby, Kit. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian Bolich Grimes Hillyard and Edwin Ray Hillyard, and his brother, Ronald Grimes.
Bill’s life was a gift to those around him, and his memory will continue to bring comfort, laughter and gratitude to all who loved him.
Bill’s family wants to thank everyone who ever checked in on him, brought him meals, mowed his lawn, went shopping for him, cleaned his house, hung out with him, cared for his dog or cared for him in any way during his final months and days with us. You are a blessing and we are so grateful.
Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.