Tony Hillerman was born on May, 27, 1925 in Sacred Heart, OK to Lucy Grove Hillerman and August A. Hillerman. Tony Hillerman was a very talented journalist, and writer. In the year 1943 Hillerman joined the US army by 1948 he received the silver star, the bronze star and the Purple Heart. Also in 1948 he left the army then went to the University of Oklahoma where he received his BA. Hillerman then became a journalist for 14 years (1948- 1962) in Oklahoma. Then he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife Marie Unzner and taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico.
While teaching journalism at the University of New Mexico, Hillerman began writing novels. Readers were drawn to his novels and could not get enough; by the year 1996 Tony HIllerman was named the 22nd wealthiest man in New Mexico. Hillerman has written quite a few novel series for several characters including Joe Leaphron, Jim Chee, and Joe Leaphron and Jim Chee. He has also been involved with chapter books and picture books. There has also been a good amount of his novels turned into films like The Dark Wind in 1991 and Skin Walkers in 2002. Hillerman has received a number of awards for best novel in 1974 for Dance Hall of the Dead ,1988 for Sin Walkers and 1989 for A Thief of Time, just to name a few.
Once Hillerman left Oklahoma and moved to Albuquerque he never returned. He has six children . On Oct, 26, 2008 at the age of 83 Hillerman died of Pulmonary Failure in Albuquerque New Mexico leaving his wife Marie, his children, his loved ones and his fans behind.
