Submitted by: Jimmy & Debbie Allen
NJDCA 2018 Hall of Fame Collector of the YearJohn Hillman – One of the Forefathers of Decoy Collecting0709930The members of the NJDCA have elected John Hillman as the 2018 Hall of Fame Collector. Johnny has been described as a Bayman, Friend, and Gentleman Collector. A tribute to Johnny in the late 1990s included several write-ups of fond memories with John written by some of our notable past and current collectors. It is excerpts from these stories that we share here and as you will see tell the story of exactly what kind of man John Hillman was and how he greatly contributed to the world of Decoy Collecting.“If there were a hall of fame for decoy collectors, John Hillman would be the first selected. Johnny was always ready to share his knowledge and many experiences with decoys and life. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. [Bud Ward]John and Isabelle’s home was always open and my wife, Debbie, my children Jenny and Jimmy and I often were the recipients of their hospitality. [Jimmy Allen]“One fond memory at the Craigville included a visit to John and Isabel Hillman’s room to hear those now famous, “Me and Lloyd” stories, stories about Johnny’s and Lloyd Johnsons, “picking” decoy escapades. There seemed to be a, “Me and Lloyd story” for just about every bird in Johnny’s collection. [Frank Schmidt]“What was always so fascinating was Johnny’s willingness to share his vast knowledge of decoys to educate just about everyone.” [Frank Schmidt]Johnny was my mentor and at times hunting buddy. He taught me so much about decoys and collecting but more importantly taught me about the true meaning of friendship preaching, “Jimmy, never let a piece of wood come between you and a friend.” [Jimmy Allen] “Guys like John Hillman and Somers Headley made decoy collecting what it is todayand helped make me a success as a decoy carver.” [Harry Shourds III]“Johnny and Isabelle both had a great love for decoy collecting and shared a lifetime of memorable experiences and the friendships that came with it. It was an important part of their life and became a bond that only a few have had the good fortune to share.” [Frank Schmidt]“As time goes by and decoy history is recorded, Johnny Hillman and his collection will go down as one of the all-time greats. His passing left a great void in our hearts and in the decoy world.” [Bob White]John and Isabelle always had quality decoys at very fair prices. As they pulled up to set up at any show, Henry Fleckenstein, Larry Lambert, Bill Purnell, Bob Coleman, among others including myself were always waiting for him to unload. He always “knew” exactly what each of us were looking for and we all walked away happy. [Bobby Richardson]How proud my grandfather and dad would fell, seeing someone spend thousands of dollars to own one of their decoys to put on display.” [Harry Shourds III]“My special thanks to the “late” John Hillman for his promotion, assistance, knowledge, and support of decoy collecting.” [Artie Birdsall]When someone would bring John a “bad” decoy, or wanted him to “bless” a decoy they had recently bought, Johnny being the true gentleman that he was would simply say, “gosh I left my glasses at home” or “yes that is an interesting decoy.” [Bobby Richardson]“Johnny’s collection of decoys is the best of the best, along with his collection of friends of the same caliber, names I am sure you all know, so there is no need to mention.” [Artie Birdsall]“One time hunting with Johnny, I realized that we were hunting over hollow carved original decoys made by Shourds, Horner, Parker, Taylor Johnson, and Jess Birdsall. When I questioned Johnny about using them in such a way, Johnny simply said, “Don’t shoot any cripples in the stools Jimmy”, and then chuckled.” [Jimmy Allen]“In my mind, Johnny is the dean of all New Jersey Decoy Collectors, Bill Mackay notwithstanding.” [Henry Fleckenstein]Submitted by: Jimmy & Debbie Allen ................
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