Albert W. Hillestad

Albert William Hillestad (July 11, 1924 – June 14, 2007) was an Episcopal priest and bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield from 1972 to 1981.

The Right Reverend

Albert William Hillestad

D.D.
Bishop of Springfield
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseSpringfield
ElectedOctober 7, 1971
In office1972-1981
PredecessorAlbert A. Chambers
SuccessorDonald M. Hultstrand
Orders
OrdinationOctober 22, 1950
by William W. Horstick
ConsecrationFebruary 19, 1972
by John E. Hines
Personal details
Born(1924-07-11)July 11, 1924
New Richmond, Wisconsin, United States
DiedJune 14, 2007(2007-06-14) (aged 82)
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
BuriedSt Paul's Cathedral
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsEvar Hillestad & Elenora Tracy
Spouse
Carol Joyce Hutchens
(m. 1954; died 1978)
Children7
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

Early and family life

Born on July 11, 1924, in New Richmond, Wisconsin to Evar and Eleanora Hillestad. Albert Hillestad graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1947 and three years later from the Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He married (and ultimately survived) Carol J. Hillestad, with whom he had seven children who survived their parents.[1]

Ministry

Ordained to the diaconate in April 1950 and priesthood on in October 1950, Hillestad served as an assistant at Christ Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin from 1950–1951, then at the Church of the Ascension in Chicago from 1951–57. He then returned to Wisconsin to serve as vicar of St. Mark's church in Oconto, Wisconsin (1957–64) before moving to the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, where he accepted a call to serve at St. Andrew's Church in Carbondale, Illinois (1964–1972).

Hillestad was selected as the diocese's bishop coadjutor, and Presiding bishop John E. Hines led the consecration on February 19, 1972, joined by Springfield's bishop Albert A. Chambers (who would shortly leave the Anglican Communion due to his opposition to the ordination of woman as priests) and bishop Frederick B. Wolf of Maine. Bishop Hillestad took office as the diocese's eighth bishop on September 24, 1972.[2] Rt.Rev. Hillestad submitted his resignation from his see in 1980, citing health reasons. The diocese selected Donald M. Hultstrand as his successor.[3]

In retirement Hillestad served at the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center in Mobile, Alabama, before moving in 1989 to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he continued to volunteer his time serving handicapped children at the Centro de Crecimiento.

Death and legacy

Bishop Hillestad died in San Miguel de Allende, survived by seven children and numerous grandchildren on June 14, 2007.[4] The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Springfield, Illinois has a memorial plaque in its courtyard commemorating him and his wife Carol (1925–1978).[5]

See also

References

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