Charlotte Hillam

Charlotte Elaine Hillam went to her heavenly home October 14, 2025, surrounded by Doug, her loving spouse of 67 years, and her family. She was born on April 15, 1940, to Harry and Elaine French and joined her sister, Mae and brother Douglas at the family farm in Lamont, Idaho. She spent her days riding horses and going out to look for squirrels to shoot. She loved to tell stories about how good of a shot she was and proved such at the yearly family turkey shoot.

She attended elementary school in Lamont and middle school and high school at North Fremont High School in Ashton, Idaho. She enjoyed participating in school activities and showing her school spirit by being a cheerleader all four years of her high school days. This was also where she met the love of her life, Douglas Hillam, whom she married on April 2, 1958. They made their home on the family farm in Marysville where they raised their family of 9 children together. Charlotte was a devoted mother and grandmother and spent endless hours watching over her family making sure that they were well fed and taken care of. She was an excellent cook and during potato harvest on the family farm, she made sure that the field crew was well fed with hearty lunches and that the cellar crew was greeted with hot chocolate and sweet treats, a true reflection of her generous spirit and nurturing heart.

From an early age, she discovered a deep and abiding love for music that became a lifelong passion. At the age of 18, she began teaching piano lessons, sharing her gift with others and nurturing a love of music in every student who sat beside her. She continued teaching faithfully until the age of 81, touching the lives of hundreds of students over the years, many who still play today.

Charlotte was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she held many callings such as Relief Society President, Primary President, and Stake and Ward Music Director. She teamed up with Alice Brenchley in 1982 to begin the Ashton Community Christmas Cantata, which continues to be a tradition in the Ashton area to this day. She was a proud member of the Harmonettes, a group of six women who sang at funerals, church gatherings and community events for many years. She cherished the friendships and memories made through their shared gift of song.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, her children Lane (Cindy) Hillam, Charlene (Greg) Dewall, Blair (Candie) Hillam, Blake (Beckie) Hillam, Gaylene (Paul) Richey, Eilene Hillam and Jared Hillam, 20 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, and sisters in law, Darlene French and Dorothy Ann Ricks. She was preceded in death by her sons Evan Hillam and Derek Hillam, granddaughter Sabrina Casper, her parents, sister Mae Stanley and brother Douglas French.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20, at the Marysville Ward Chapel in Ashton. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., both times at the church. Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Primary Children’s Hospital in memory of Derek Hillam.