February 7, 1937 – October 31, 2024
Laramie “Larry” Dale Hillenburg, 87, of Bedford, died at 11:45 pm on October 31, 2024, at IU Health Bedford Hospital.
Larry was born February 7, 1937, in his grandparents’ home in Bedford, Indiana to Dorothy Mae McKee and Winfred Dale Hillenberg. Dorothy and Winfred Hillenberg raised Larry in Lawrence County, Indiana and also in Crawford, Texas along with his younger sister, Judy Hillenberg. Judy, of Williams survives.
Larry worked for a time at Philco in Bedford before joining the Air Force. The Air Force used Larry’s name as written on his birth certificate “Hillenburg” which was an overlooked typo never corrected. Larry was a Military Policeman and stationed in Germany & Japan. Larry was a very good shot with a rifle. He participated in sharp shooting competitions while serving in the Air Force in Honolulu Hawaii.
On December 23rd, 1961, Larry married Sharon Kay Waggoner and they moved to Washington DC where Larry was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. On November 22, 1963, Larry was sleeping after working an overnight shift when he was called in to duty “stat” after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Larry was a witness to Jackie Kennedy arriving back to Andrews Air Force Base in her pink dress covered in her husband’s blood.
After serving 8 years in the US Air Force, Larry was honorably discharged and moved back to Bedford, Indiana with his family which then included a daughter, Tina Mae Hillenburg and later a son, James “Jim” Hillenburg.
Larry served his community for 21 years rising to the rank of Major on the Bedford Police Department while also working part time as an EMT for Dunn Hospital on his days off. After his retirement from the BPD he continued to serve the community as a BPD dispatcher.
Larry was a member of the Spice Valley Church of Christ, a life-long Democrat, and a member of the F.O.P. #94.
Larry’s life was far more than his jobs. He was a brother who seemed at times more like a second dad to his younger sister. He was a devoted husband who to the end of his life always thought first of his wife’s needs over his own. He was a father who did his best to raise his children to be good people. He was a grandfather who shared his knowledge and love of hunting and fishing with his grandson and let his granddaughter beat him at checkers just to see her joy over winning. A man who cared for his friends, community, and country.
Larry was loved by his family and is already missed.
Laramie is preceded in death by his parents, Winfred Dale Hillenberg and Dorothy Mae McKee Clampitt and his daughter, Tina Mae Hillenburg.
Laramie is survived by his wife, Sharon Kay Hillenburg, a son, Jim Hillenburg and his wife, Sarah of Williams, two grandchildren, Chelsea and her husband Connor Hamblett of Columbus, Ohio, and Evan and his wife, Lauren Hillenburg of Avoca and two great grandchildren, Mason and Elsie.
Visitation will be held at Day & Carter Mortuary in Bedford, Indiana, on Sunday, November 17, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a service to follow at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Laramie Hillenburg to:
F.O.P. #94
P.O. Box 52
Bedford, IN 47421
Or
Lawrence County Democratic Party
P.O. Box 42
Bedford IN 47421
