Charles C. Hileman III, 92, World War II veteran and Philadelphia lawyer
He spent more than 40 years at the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis and was the longtime chair of its litigation department.
Charles C. Hileman III, 92, formerly of Abington, a decorated World War II veteran who became a Philadelphia lawyer, died Saturday, April 1, of an infection at Rydal Park.
In 1952, Mr. Hileman joined the Center City law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis. He was the longtime chair of Schnader's litigation department and served the profession as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, as well as a leader of state and local bar associations.
He was known as a deliberate, careful thinker whose actions were shaped by his view of the law. "In his activities, whether professional or extracurricular, Charlie's motivation has been extremely simple," Bernard J. Smolens, a leader of Schnader, told a legal publication in 1966. "If a course of action to him seems just and proper, he will pursue that course of action."
Mr. Hileman retired from the firm in 1993.
Born in Greensburg, Pa., to Louise Daugherty and Charles C. Hileman Jr., he completed public high school and enrolled in Allegheny College, where he was an accomplished tennis and basketball player. His education was interrupted on Dec. 23, 1942, when he registered for the draft.
Much to his chagrin, Mr. Hileman was classified "limited service" because of severe nearsightedness, his family said. Undaunted, he memorized the eye chart and began eye exercises with the help of an uncle who was an optometrist. When he reported to the draft board later, he passed the eye test, his family said.
Mr. Hileman served in the Army from 1943 to 1946, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. He fought with valor as a squad leader with the 290th Infantry Regiment of the 75th Division in the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, according to his discharge paper.
He rarely spoke of his wartime experiences, but when he did in later years, "he would use the stories to tell us how to be," said daughter Jane. In one such story, Mr. Hileman told of taking over and moving the unit forward after his young squad leader was killed in combat.
Once he returned stateside, Mr. Hileman graduated with honors from Allegheny in 1947. While a student, he met and married Margaret McKay.
In 1948, Mr. Hileman enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, where he was editor of the Law Review and earned top academic honors and two prestigious clerkships.
The Hilemans lived in Abington with their three children. Mr. Hileman was active at Abington Presbyterian Church for a decade, serving as deacon, trustee and, at age 35, the youngest elder in the church at that time, his daughter said.
In retirement, the Hilemans moved to Pittsburgh, then Marco Island, Fla., and finally Rydal Park in Montgomery County. His wife died in 2013 at age 87.
In addition to his church work, Mr. Hileman was a trustee of the International House of Philadelphia for many years. In the 1960s, he served on the Abington School District's board of directors.
The Hilemans enjoyed spending time with family and entertained regularly. Between 1966 and 2002, they visited 25 countries, including Austria, Turkey, Chile, Thailand, China, Kenya, Ecuador, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Japan, New Zealand, and Cuba.
Mr. Hileman was the social center of his neighborhood, where he welcomed everybody to join him in a game of croquet or badminton in his backyard.
In professional and private life, he also set an example of what a leader should be for his offspring, his daughter said. "A leader is one who goes across the threshold first, takes the first step," she said. "Now we all do it."
Besides his daughter, he is survived by children Susan Hileman Malone and Peter; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services and interment will be private.
Donations may be made to Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, 4455 N. Sixth St., Philadelphia 19140.