Paul Hilliard

Paul Hilliard’s life is a classic American story—one marked by hard work, courage, perseverance, and a deep devotion to community. From his humble beginnings on a small Wisconsin farm to his later years as a respected oilman, philanthropist, and civic leader in Lafayette, Hilliard built a legacy defined not by personal wealth, but by service, humility, and generosity.

Born in 1925 in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, Hilliard grew up in a time and place that demanded resilience. His family farmed the land without electricity or indoor plumbing, making do with little. In what he later called a “providential event,” his younger brother accidentally burned down the family barn, an incident that forced the family off the farm and into town. Though devastating at the time, it introduced young Paul to the “luxuries” of electric lights and running water, and perhaps, a first glimpse of opportunity beyond the farm.

At just seventeen, with his mother’s reluctant permission, Hilliard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He became a radioman-gunner on a Douglas SBD “Dauntless” dive bomber, flying 45 combat missions in the Pacific Theater. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal with six bronze stars for his bravery. Those years of service shaped his character and cemented a lifelong bond with his fellow Marines.

After the war, he returned home determined to build a future. Using the G.I. Bill, he earned a law degree from the University of Texas in 1951 and soon found himself working as a landman for Chevron in South Louisiana. The work suited him; he was sharp, fair-minded, and unafraid of hard effort. By 1955, with just a few hundred dollars and a wealth of determination, he launched his own company, naming it Badger Oil after his home state’s mascot.

Hilliard built Badger Oil into a respected independent oil and gas operation headquartered in Lafayette. Over the years, he navigated the industry’s ups and downs with patience and principle, preferring independence over the comfort of corporate consolidation. His leadership and insight earned him national recognition as chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and as a member of the National Petroleum Council.

But it was his civic spirit and belief in education that truly defined his impact on Lafayette. Hilliard never sought attention for his good works, yet his quiet commitment to helping others was constant and far-reaching. He bought books for children, read to students in classrooms, and supported local literacy initiatives long before education reform became a public cause. He believed that learning was the foundation of good citizenship and that communities thrived when everyone had access to knowledge.

In 2003, the Lafayette Civic Cup honored C. Paul Hilliard as its 71st recipient, recognizing a lifetime of generosity and civic leadership. His nominators described him as “a man who selflessly gives of his time, talents, and treasures to enrich Lafayette and its citizens.” Former Congressman Charles Boustany Jr. praised Hilliard for his “keen recognition of the primacy of education as the basic building block for citizenship.”

Beyond education, Hilliard’s philanthropic legacy includes his deep support of the arts and history. With his late wife, Lulu, he donated $5 million to help establish the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a gift that continues to inspire generations of artists and students. He also played a vital role in the growth of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, serving as trustee, board chairman, and major benefactor, ensuring that the stories of his generation would never be forgotten.

Through all of his accomplishments, Paul Hilliard remained humble, humorous, and grateful. He often said that gratitude was the greatest of virtues, quoting Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

A Marine, an oilman, a philanthropist, and a gentleman, C. Paul Hilliard embodied the best of what it means to serve one’s community. His life reminds us that true success is measured not by what we achieve for ourselves, but by what we give back to others.