“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

John “Sonny” Hillman, 85, passed away on July 18, 2025. He was a devoted family man to his beloved wife, Carlotta “Lolly”, for 61 years, and their daughter, LollyAnn Gutierrez.

John enjoyed sharing laughs and attending Boise State football games with his son-in-law, Alex. He was immensely proud of his grandsons, James and Nicolas, his granddaughter-in-law, Colette, and his great-granddaughter, Rosalie Carlotta Jane.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, John spent his younger years playing city league softball, basketball, and bowling. In the 1970s, he moved to Arizona, where he embraced adventure through breaking horses, bull riding, and skydiving.

Later in life, John moved to Boise, Idaho, and pursued his passion for trains as a member of The Caldwell Model Train Club. He found joy and peace in nature—fishing or feeding the deer, elk, and wild turkeys that passed by his home. A lifelong learner, John had a fascination with history, the cosmos, and extraterrestrials.

If John called you a friend, he considered you part of the family.

He is survived by his wife, “Lolly”; his daughter, LollyAnn, and her husband, Alex; his grandchildren; granddaughter-in-law; great-granddaughter; several sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Summers Funeral Home on August 13th at 11:00 a.m. Please join the family for light refreshments in Summers’ reception hall following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.