Harold G. Hillam was born in Sugar City, Idaho, on 1 September 1934 to Gordon and Evelyn Skidmore Hillam. He graduated from high school in St. Anthony and attended Ricks College.
The summer before he received his mission call, Harold worked as a fishing guide in nearby Yellowstone Park, where he met Carol Rasmussen in a sacrament meeting. They corresponded during the two and a half years he served a mission to Brazil. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 5 June 1958.
Both Elder and Sister Hillam attended BYU. Sister Hillam received her degree in education and music, and he was accepted into dental school at Northwestern University in Chicago. While Brother Hillam was in school, Sister Hillam taught elementary school. Upon his graduation, Elder Hillam set up a practice in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After two years, he returned to Northwestern in the orthodontics program. When he received his degree—with honors—the Hillams returned to Idaho Falls.
Elder Hillam served in the bishopric and in the presidency of the Idaho Falls Idaho South Stake before being called as stake president. During the Teton Dam disaster, he coordinated all the Church volunteer efforts during the clean-up and served as Area Welfare leader. In 1981, Elder Hillam was called to serve as a mission president in Portugal.
Elder Hillam has served as a regional representative both in Idaho and in Portugal. He has also served as president of the Teton Peaks Council of the Boy Scouts and has received the Silver Beaver award. He has also served as president of several dental and orthodontic societies.
