Background
Hillman, Douglas Woodruff was born on February 15, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Son of Lemuel Serrell and Dorothy (Woodruff) Hillman.
Hillman, Douglas Woodruff was born on February 15, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Son of Lemuel Serrell and Dorothy (Woodruff) Hillman.
Student, Phillips Exeter Academy, 1941; Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan, 1946; Bachelor of Laws, University Michigan, 1948.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hillman was a Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. He received an Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1946, and an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Michigan Law School in 1948. He was then in private practice in Grand Rapids until 1979.
On July 12, 1979, Hillman was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan created by 92 Statistics
1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25, 1979, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1986 to 1991, assuming senior status on February 15, 1991.
Hillman served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on October 1, 2002. He died in Muskegon, Michigan.
Chairman Grand Rapids Human Relations Commission, 1963-1966. Chairman of the board of trustees Fountain St. Church, 1970-1972. President Family Service Association, 1967.
Servedas pilot United States Army Air Force, 1943-1945. Fellow American Bar Foundation. Member American Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association (chairman client security fund), Grand Rapids Bar Association (president 1963), American College Trial Lawyers (Michigan chairman 1979, commission on teaching trial and appellate advisory), 6th Circuit Judicial Conference (life), International Academy Trial Lawyers, Federation Insurance Counsel, International Association Insurance Counsel, International Society Barristers (pres 1977-1978, chair annual Hillman Trial Advisory Seminar since 1982), M Club of University of Michigan (committee visitors University of Michigan Law School), University Club (Grand Rapids), Torch Club.
Married Sally Jones, September 13, 1944. Children: Drusilla W., Clayton D. (deceased).