William B Hilgers

Military
media-14130.jpeg UPL 14130 Fred A. Knapp Crew
Crew #429
466th Bomb Group - 784th Bomb Squadron

Standing Left to Right: McClement Stokes (G), Glenn L. Leffler (G), Gus Rybka (G). Irving Kastel (N), Bernie Stein (R/O), Unidentified

Kneeling Left to Right: William B. Hilgers (PN), Clinton B. Emmerich (B), Fred A. Knapp (P), John P. Watson (CP), Regis A. O'Rourke (RN)

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Object Number - UPL 14130 - Fred A. Knapp Crew Crew #429 466th Bomb Group - 784th Bomb Squadron Standing Left to Right: McClement Stokes (G), Glenn L. Leffler (G), Gus...

Enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an attorney after the war:



Throughout his life and 61-year career, William B. Hilgers has sought to provide individuals and institutions with unsurpassed personal service according to the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity. His enduring love of the law stems from his ability to advance the goals of men and women dedicated to giving to their community. His practice has allowed him to be the trusted advisor of many inspiring individuals such as Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and famed pianist and arts advocate James Dick.



But his most genuine pleasure has been to lend a hand to those who most benefit from legal support: “My main mission has been to provide legal services for those who may not always find the legal system accessible.”



He became an attorney and a CPA, thanks to the GI Bill, his compensation for performing more than 30 missions as an Air Force navigator in World War II. He began his legal career in taxation and securities law and now focuses on estate planning, probate, trusts, and nonprofit activities because it allows him to help people. In 2010 he merged his practice with Wayne A. Langham, serving as “Of Counsel” and playing an active role in advising and collaborating with the team to develop strategies that achieve clients’ business and personal objectives.



From the beginning, his unswerving principles have placed him in positions of leadership. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the State Bar of Texas and the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. While serving an appointment as Chairman of the State Bar’s Grievance Oversight Board, he recognized the need for independent oversight of legal ethics. As a result, he helped create the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism in 1989 and served as Chair of that Board. The Center’s mission to promote and enhance professionalism, ethics and civility among lawyers provides continuing education programs for all Texas attorneys.



His maturity in years has only increased his commitment to service and his breadth of interests. He has been an Elder of University Christian Church since 1947, chaired the Board of Trustees of the Del Valle Independent School District, and served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations. His long interest in of organic farming has led to his chairmanship on the Board of Directors for the Texas Organic Farming Research Center. His most recent endeavor has been to bring together a diverse group of lawyers, educators, public officials, physicians, and other citizens to form the Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation, which will conduct public campaigns focusing on children, education, racial justice, and criminal justice.

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description
Lockhart, TX 78644, USA 1017 Bois d'Arc

Other

Graduated

Austin, TX, USA University of Texas School of Law

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, page 347

William B Hilgers: Gallery (2 items)