William B Hilgers
MilitaryCrew #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
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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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
- 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
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