Shirley Mae Hillman was born on January 17, 1929 in Lombard, Illinois to Arthur and Evelyn Hillman. Shirley lived in Lombard until she graduated high school. Shirley then moved to California where she worked in Hollywood at the famous Eddie Lewis clothing store. Shirley met Lambert "Bert" Hodgkins and married on July 8, 1956 in Tucson, Arizona where Shirley's parents lived. Shirley and Bert soon added to their household two girls Carol and Susan. Shirley and family decided that they did not care for the fast pace in California and moved to Tucson. Soon Tucson grew too much for Shirley, so in 1971 Shirley and family moved to Williams, Arizona where they opened the "Williams Flowers and Gift Shop".

Shirley first worked at the Williams Chamber of Commerce and then later worked for Dr. Biswanger and Dr. Bates where she retired as a receptionist/Medical Assistant.

On May 12, 1998 Shirley married Jack Gamboa. They spent their summers in Williams their winters in California.

Shirley was very involved in the community events and with ESA, and 4-H (sewing). Shirley's hobbies were bowling, fishing, and camping (telling stories around the campfire). She enjoyed time with her daughters and families.

Shirley passed away August 21st in Flagstaff, Arizona with her family by her side.

Shirley is preceded in death by her sister Lorranine, husbands Bert Hodgkins and Jack Gamboa. Shirley is survived by her two daughters Carol (Dennis) Johnson, Williams, AZ; Susan (Kim) Brown , Williams, AZ; her grandchildren Michael (Teri) Fuller, Lake Havasu, AZ; Stephen (Cheryl) Fuller, Topock, AZ; Tim Johnson, Las Vegas, NV; Carla ( Jeff) Dent, Williams, AZ; Tiffany Johnson, Tucson, AZ; and Travis (Theresa) Fuller, Happy Jack, AZ.

Services will be held at the Community United Methodist Church, Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Williams, Arizona.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love Never Fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13 1-8 NIV