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Paul Hilliard, President of Badger Oil Corporation, has led a wonderful life of generosity and love of community that provides a humbling lesson in being a good steward of God’s resources.
Hilliard exemplifies the selfless spirit and pride of our WWII generation of heroes, as well as the successful ingenuity of a veteran oil and gas entrepreneur. Known for his self-effacing wit and ability to achieve in spite of a hardscrabble upbringing in Wisconsin, Hilliard has been a successful independent operator and owner of Badger Oil Corporation since 1955 and has seen fit to use his success in business to help others in need.
Awarded the Civic Cup in 2003 and the esteemed national Horatio Alger Award in 2009, Hilliard has also been active in statewide associations working to improve the oil and gas industry, business, and civic endeavors. He has been a generous benefactor in causes to help at-risk children learn to read so that they can overcome poverty as he did. He and his late wife, Lulu, provided $5 million dollars in seed money to start the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum at UL – Lafayette.
Paul ended the interview by sharing his gratitude for being born in the United States of America. He spoke of a favorite quote by Cicero: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Words of wisdom that we should always remember.
In closing, it is fitting to share the message of the bumper sticker proudly displayed on Paul’s vehicle…..Temporarily Unassigned Old Marine. Any group lucky enough to be assigned the company of Paul Hilliard has much to be grateful for!
