Michael was my salesman for my roof and he was so extraordinarily friendly in every sense of the word. He offered to go above and beyond to help me out with the project. I remember he kept my number and called me one time out of the blue saying he thought he saw my truck while out and about. He was a good and genuine man. My sincerest condolences to his family.

I also met Michael after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans when he started working on the renovation of the substantially damaged, beautiful villa that is the Country Club. Those were difficult times, full of loss and change, and Michael was such a wonderful addition to our group of friends.

Michael was sweet and affectionate, and generously shared a smile and a warm hug every time I saw him.  He like having a good time, but seemed to be more focused on making sure everyone else had a great time.  We faced daily disappointments during the massive renovation, while scrounging for meals at the few open stores, dealing with material and man power shortages, and adapting to a forever-changed New Orleans, but Michael was a great friend who helped us all stay hopeful.  

My friends and I, after learning that Michael had died, shared our disbelief.   Michael was not just far too young to be gone, he also will always be remembered by us as being so alive, so full of joy. 

My deepest condolences to all of Michael’s family members, 

Sarah Ney 

Today we celebrate Michael’s life (aka Miche). I was fortunate to meet Miche in 1997 when he walked through the doors of “Flor de Sol” in NYC, asking for a job as a bartender. He was our first hire, though quickly became our friend; he was instantly part of our family. We shared many great memories...fun times! He loved jamming with other talented co-workers but Miche had a way to always shine 😇. Aside from being talented, he was a positive and kind person. His smile and laughter were contagious. He was a great story teller 😅 
He was always there when you needed him, a gentle, warm-hearted, caring friend and especially a loving father 👨‍👦.
I am so grateful for our friendship through out the years.

I love you my dear friend, I will miss you.....until we meet again ❤️
Rest in peace 🙏


I was fortunate to meet Michael 15 years ago through work and then we became friends.  He was dedicated to work as well as to having a great time.   We shared many an afternoon of conversation and laughing over life.   Friendships and family were so important to him.  His biggest goal in life was to become a father and then he had his son, Jacob.   The apple of his eye.  He beamed whenever he would share stories of him.   My heart breaks knowing he is no longer with us.   I will miss you, Michael, but never forget.  

Michael was an incredibly kind, warm, and loving person.  He was always there to help out—a true friend.  His love for Jacob was endless...every second occupied his mind on how to make a better life for Jacob.  Truly, he was an amazing father.  I hope Jacob treasures and remembers those special times shared with his dad.  I spent many Christmas Eves with Michael and Jacob as they joined my family and friends.  They would always show up happy and festive. Everyone would wait for Santa to make a visit; I will never forget Jacob's delighted face as Michael held him up to Santa's face...proud and joyful in his son's excitement.  It was a wonderful sight I will never forget. Very few people who cross our paths are like Michael; his passing is a great loss to me as I'm sure it is to many of you.

My sweet memory of Michael is of a little two year old toddling around and trying to get his new born brother to play ball with him! He was so precious with blond curls! My favorite memory of Michael is seeing him with his son, showering him with love and affection! He was so proud to be a father! Jacob will always have memories of him playing with him and teaching him life skills! He was an amazing Father and I’m so glad Jacob will always have his memory in his heart

It was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans where I first met Michael.  He came riding down the street on a bicycle and stopped along side of me and asked if I needed any carpentry help in rebuilding.  His smile was warm and genuine and as we chatted, he seemed to be trustworthy and someone we could add to the reconstruction team.  In no time at all, we realized that Michael was so much more than a carpenter...actually a very skilled craftsman, incredible artisan, and, as it turned out, a fun, good natured guy, and a very good friend.  He was an important part of our team and grew into design work and accomplished timeless design.  Michael stayed with us in New Orleans for seven years before moving on to Florida...a long time for Michael to stay in one place.   

Our friendship was something special to me and we were able share many good times over the years after New Orleans in New York and Florida.  Michael was an incredible person who was always there for a friend.  Simply said, Michael was a "good soul"; warm, caring. loving, and loyal.  Perhaps nothing showed this more than the birth of his son, Jacob.  Michael was the definition of what it meant to be a "great dad".  He loved his son with all his heart.  He worried about every aspect of providing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for him.  That said, he would also stay up some nights thinking about how to make Jacob's next day as enriching and fun as it could be.  Sure enough, Jacob got to experience many, many incredible fun times that only a dad could provide.  Michael's main focus in life was his son, Jacob, and one could not even imagine a better dad than Michael.  As Jacob's God Father, I hope to help Jacob never forget the deep loving legacy of his incredible father, Michael.  

Michael, you were an incredible friend and I know you are watching over your family who loved you so much; but mostly, I just know that Jacob will never forget his dad and will always feel your love. 





Mike was one of my longest lasting and closest friendships. It was undeniably in the cards that we remain close friends as we shared 31 years, one  rock 'n' roll band and 5 cities together. He often amazed me with his intelligence and creativity and I'm still very proud of the music we created together. He often said he thought of me as his big brother and it's true that in many ways we were soul mates. He loved using my jokes and taking credit for them. Ha! But actually, he was very good and coming up with material of his own. He would get excited, like a kid chomping at the bit to tell me his latest joke and laugh and laugh and laugh, many of which I still love and cherish. Mike was always kind and generous and whenever I needed a friend or a little help, he was there. I love that kid and he'll live on inside of me forever. 

Michael was a cousin I always looked forward to seeing.  As a kid he was "The tallest cousin ever".  As I grew up he retained that title but I also came to know him as someone who always smiled at me like they were genuinely happy to see me.  He had a way of engaging with people that made them feel warm and cared for.  He was a good man, and he will be missed.  

This is the hardest thing to write….because my heart hurts and I don’t understand and I know you, Gene, Carol, Gina, Doug and Jacob must be feeling all of this SO, SO MUCH.  My children have fond memories of Michael when he helped build our house.  My own memories are more of the tall,“little” boy playing with the other Hileman boy cousins!  And, what a handsome man he was….with the curly hair some of us got - I say from MeeMa! 
I am so sad that we cannot come to Florida for the service.  Please, please know how very much we all LOVE you, our Gene Hileman family!  We look forward to seeing you all whenever you feel like it.  Until then, my prayers to our Father are continually expressed for you all!! (Rev.21:3-4)

I am so very very sorry for your loss . Mike was a awesome guy..I love him in school he was always so sweet and a really good friend... he will be missed deeply.. gone to soon

Michael was such a gentle loving person. We met in NYC in 1997 when he became part of our restaurant family. Many nights after the last patron left we would all hang together in the restaurant and sing along to Michaels guitar playing and songs. He was very talented and such fun to be around. Upon my move to Miami he was the first person to stop by for a visit with his wonderful son at his side. He was so proud of Jacob.
I’m honored to have been part of his life.

Rest In Peace my friend…..

Love,
Kevin 




We lost an incredibly kind human being this week.  I have known Michael since 1998 and we shared many great memories together in NYC.  When ever I think of Miche (which is what we use to call him) it brings such a smile to my face.  Great times playing guitar, singing, listening to music, the Flor de Sol days!! 
You were truly, one of a kind! You will forever be remembered Miche!! I am so sad and heart broken but I know you are now in heaven, pain free!!

See you one day, my friend! 
Love you, 
Claudia (Claud)

Michael 'an earth angel' sent for what seemed like  a short time to accomplish a purpose that will continue on for generations to come, to fulfill a higher calling and purpose, Jacob! We bless God for blessing the earth with Michael and the wonderful Hileman family, peace and comfort be with you all in Jesus name.

I can’t think of Mike without hearing him laugh.  It so showed his personality.  His laugh was always so full of appreciating life... just like Gene.  I feel for each of you and pray that you feel God’s love surrounding and comforting you.  I love you.

I’ll always be grateful to Michael for how he took the time to teach me my first song on guitar. When I was 12, he was working on my parents house. One day he saw me inside trying to learn a few chords on an acoustic. He took a break and asked if I’d like to learn Sweet Home Alabama. He was so talented! After learning that song from him, I never stopped playing and still play today. He first showed me a real love for guitar and gave me the spark to get started. Thank you Michael! 

OBITUARY

Michael Lloyd Hileman

July 10, 1972 – December 5, 2022

Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center

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