Elwood "Bud" Hillis

Elwood "Bud" Haynes Hillis, 96, of Windsor, CO passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Bud was born March 6, 1926 in Kokomo, IN to Glen R. and Bernice (Haynes) Hillis. He was the grandson of Elwood Haynes, auto pioneer and inventor of Haynes Stellite and stainless steel. His sister Margaret Hillis was a famed conductor and founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Bud was raised in Kokomo, IN where he attended public school and later graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1944. He entered the US Army serving as a Second Lieutenant in the Occupation Forces in Germany, and retired from the Army Reserves as a Captain in 1954. After World War II, he attended Indiana University earning a bachelor’s degree in business in 1949 and completed a Juris Doctor in 1952. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. In 1949 Bud married Carol Hoyne. They were married 66 years at the time of her passing in 2015.

Upon graduation from IU, he returned to Kokomo, IN and practiced law. Bud was an active alumnus of Indiana University. In 1982 he was given the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, and received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree in 1998. Additionally, he served as a member of the IU-Kokomo Board of Advisors.

While living in Kokomo, IN Bud was active in many civic organizations including: the Salvation Army, YMCA, Red Cross, United Way, the Kokomo Housing Authority, and 50 year member of the Kokomo Rotary Club. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kokomo, serving as an elder.

In 1966, Bud was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, his entry into politics. He was subsequently re-elected 1968. In 1970, He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Indiana’s 5th District, where he served eight terms, retiring in 1986. As a member of Congress he served on the Armed Forces Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee. His service in Congress was marked by high dedication to his constituents of Indiana. Bud was known as a soft-spoken gentleman, well respected by all members in Congress.

After retiring from Congress, Bud and Carol moved to Culver, Indiana where they lived for thirteen years. There Bud was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. He served as President of the Culver Military Academy Legion, and also served on the Marshall County Community Foundation. They then moved to Windsor Colorado to be closer to family, where Bud became a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Bud was twice named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governors Bowen and Orr (IN). In 2001, Congress named the Kokomo Post Office “The Elwood Haynes ‘Bud’ Hillis Post Office” in his honour. Bud was an active pilot, avid skier, and enjoyed golf and hunting. He also enjoyed bicycling and participated in three bicycle tours in Europe.

Bud is survived by two sons, Jeffrey H, Fort Collins, CO, Gary L (Debbie), Windsor, CO, three grandchildren, Faith (Ryan) Putnam, Severance, CO, Jared Hillis, Fort Collins, CO, Laura (Chris) Brazis, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Joe, Lafayette, CA, two nephews and a niece. Bud is predeceased by his wife Carol, son Bradley R., sister Margaret and brother Robert.

The Hillis family would like to extend our gratitude to Columbine Commons in Windsor which was home to Bud for the last eight years of his life. The care that Bud received there will never be forgotten. We cannot thank all the Columbine Commons staff enough for the love and compassion that they showed.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Allnutt Funeral Drake Chapel in Fort Collins located at 650 W Drake Road. Reception to follow. Burial services in Indiana will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family asks to consider making memorial contributions to either the First United Methodist Church, at 503 Walnut, Windsor Colorado 80550, or the Carol & Bud Hillis IU Kokomo Scholarship, #0370011357, checks payable to the IU Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6460.