10/27/2025
Funeral Services for Blair Hillstead will be on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in the Bitter Creek Ward Chapel. With a viewing prior to the service starting at 10:00am -11:45am.
Blair H. Hillstead, 83, of Fairview, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Blair was a bright light to everyone who knew him. Known for his friendly personality, quick wit, energetic laugh, tight hugs, and ability to make those around him feel special, he was loved by many. People of all ages were easily drawn to him.
Born in Fairview, Wyoming, on February 14, 1942, to Dave and Alta Hillstead, Blair was the third oldest of eight children. He grew up on a dairy farm and said it taught him the best life lessons. Some of those lessons were: "It takes work and effort to achieve anything," "There will be disappointments and loss,” and "Courage, faith, and trust can carry you through". Blair had great respect for his mother and father and strived to replicate the qualities he valued in them.
He attended Star Valley High School, where he excelled at sports. He was the quarterback of the football team and a point guard on the basketball team. During his senior year, Blair was voted President of the Star S Club, Most Preferred Men 1960- Senior Attendant, and Best All-Around. He graduated in 1960 and started attending Utah State University in the fall. He graduated with his bachelor's degree from USU in 1964 in Secondary Education, with a minor in Physical Education and Health.
He married his high school sweetheart, Lynette Haderlie, on Sept. 19, 1962, in the Fairview Church Relief Society Room. This simple ceremony consisted of close family and friends, and the decorations were made from baskets of freshly picked fall leaves from a nearby hill. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple, and they celebrated their 62nd Anniversary this past September.
In 1966, after teaching for one year in Tooele, Utah, they returned to Star Valley where Blair returned to farming life with his dad and continued utilizing his teaching degree. He taught math, along with drivers ed, PE, and health. He coached girls' basketball at the middle school and football and boys’ basketball at the high school as an assistant. When he took over the track program, there wasn’t even a track to run on. With help from a group of freshman students, he started building a temporary track, hauling clay soil and cinders from Soda Springs, Idaho. The track team later brought home a state championship in 1971, the first ever for Star Valley Track and Field. Blair loved the youth, so after retiring from teaching in 1998, he became an activity bus driver for Star Valley school athletes, where he could stay connected and supportive.
Daughters, Heidi and Holly, completed their little family. Blair was a dedicated family man and passed on his love for animals to his girls. He was an active participant in their interests and activities. As a family they loved the outdoors, holidays, and working together on the farm. Losing their daughter, Heidi, unexpectedly, in 2021, was devastating.
Blair was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the Fairview Ward he served as First Councilor in the Bishopric, Elder Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, High Councilor, and at the age of 70 was called as Bishop. He served in both the Idaho Falls Temple and Star Valley Temple as an ordinance worker. Blair loved those he served with, and they loved him.
He gave freely of his time for others. Blair never turned down an opportunity to serve. During his time as Bishop, he initiated a Fairview cleanup to help prepare the community for the addition of the new temple.
Blair is survived by his wife, Lynette; daughter, Holly Stuart (Randy); son-in-law, Korey Packer; grandchildren, Jordan Bair (Courtney) and Raegan Erickson; great-grandchildren, Navi, Rubi, Liam, and Emmi Bair. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Heidi Packer.
Funeral services will be held on November 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the Bitter Creek Ward Building, 3166 State Hwy 241, Afton, Wyoming. Family and friends are invited to a viewing that morning from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in honor of Blair’s love for the gospel and his support of young missionaries. Contributions may be made in person or online at Make a Gift — Missionary Fund.
