Carl E. Hillsman, 56, of Berkeley Springs, went missing in the woods and rough terrain near his home on Friday, June 28. After an extensive search which continued into the following morning, he was found deceased on Saturday, June 29, 2019.
Mr. Hillsman leaves behind his wife, Carla of 29 years, his mother, Patricia Comp of Smithsburg, Md., his father, Matthew Hillsman, of Portales, N.M, his brother Ian, of Coral Springs, Fla, his beloved Akita, Nuka, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his stepfather, James Comp and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Carl was a 1980 graduate of Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg, Md., and played football for the Smithsburg Leopards. He went on to attend Montana State University in Bozeman.
He also spent several years in Alaska, training sled dogs with Susan Butcher in the winters, and was part of her support team on several Iditarod races.
He also worked aboard commercial fishing boats during the summer seasons in Alaska, and was an avid recreational deep sea fisherman as well.
Carl was also an auto racing enthusiast, from local dirt tracks to NASCAR.
He returned to his roots to complete his BS degree in Business at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. in 1992.
He founded the internet access and consulting company, Intrepid Technologies, Inc. in 1995 which was later sold to Stargate Industires in 1999. He then went on to work for Allegis Group, Inc., retiring in 2016. Carl was also an instructor for the University of Phoenix, where he concurrently earned his own Master’s Degree.
Carl was nearing the completion of his mountainside dream house in Berkeley Springs, doing much of the work himself, which was a great source of personal pride and joy. Together with his wife they were planning many more happy years in their new home. C
arl’s wishes for a celebration of life with family and friends will be finalized at a future date.
He was a man who lived every chapter of his life to the very fullest and shared his adventurous spirit and generous heart with each and every person whose life he crossed paths with. He was always, always eager to tackle new challenges and broaden his scope of accomplishments.
The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the neighbors and friends as well as the Morgan County Sheriff’s Dept. and the VA Search and Rescue Team for their dedicated, compassionate and professional efforts.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsley johnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
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