James "Tony" A. Hillman

James “Tony” Anthony Hillman, age 59, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026. He was born on April 14, 1967, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to James Eugene Hillman and Mildred Louise Hanna. Tony attended public schools and graduated from McClellan High School. Tony met his best friends, Donald and Aaron, when they crossed paths riding side by sides. Later, Rusty joined their adventures. Tony drove late model racecars built by his dad, traveling to several states and racing at Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, never knowing at the time that his future wife, Donett, was in the stands. Tony and Donett met on October 1 at Hagan’s Offroad Park in Disney, Oklahoma. He invited her to come for the day or spend the entire weekend, sending her a video of riding the trails. She replied, “I’ll be there in an hour,” and from that moment, she never left his side. They were married on October 4, 2024, in Alexander, Arkansas, celebrating their honeymoon at a racetrack and their first anniversary at Crawford County Speedway in Van Buren, Arkansas, as well as visits to Humbolt Speedway and 81 Speedway. This year, they planned to spend their anniversary at Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio. In December 2024, Tony and Donett adopted their pups, Jax and Candy, who quickly went from rags to riches, glamping in the RV. Just last weekend, the family enjoyed a trip to the lake in their new RV, where both pups spent the day outside, lounging on pillows made by their grandmother, Louise. Tony and Donett looked forward to attending their third trip to the Dome in St. Louis for Dirt in December. They had so many plans together, with the goal of traveling in their RV to as many dirt tracks as possible. Tony was always telling Donett, “Find us a track to go to.” Tony will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, James Eugene Hillman. Tony is survived by his wife, Donett of the home; his mother, Millie Myers of Shannon Hills, Arkansas; his sisters, Amber “Tiny” Hillman of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Sherri Jackson of Shannon Hills, Arkansas, Debbie Moody of Midland, Texas; his children, twins, Shannon Hillman and Mark Hillman, and Kimberly Hillman all of Greenbrier, Arkansas; multiple grandchildren; best friends and camping family, Donald and Leadawn Ray of Stroud, Oklahoma, Aaron and Brook Waldsmith of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Rusty and Sheila Ardrey of Perkins, Oklahoma. A family conducted memorial service will be at 10AM, Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Boston Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Donnie Echols officiating.

James "Tony" A. Hillman

April 14, 1967 - May 6, 2026