Beloved crime writer Tony Hillerman dead at 83Acclaimed US writer Tony Hillerman Tony Hillerman (born May 27 1925) is an award-winning American author of detective novels and non-fiction works. His mystery novels are set in the Four Corners area of New Mexico and Arizona. The protagonists are Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo tribal police. Lt. , whose 18 detective novels eloquently introduced Native American and particularly Navajo culture to millions of readers, has died, local media reported. Hillerman, who lived in the state of New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). in the rugged American Southwest where many of his best-sellers took place, was 83 years old. He died Sunday in Albuquerque of pulmonary failure after several months of declining health, the Albuquerque Journal The Albuquerque Journal, also known as ABQ Journal, is the largest newspaper in New Mexico. It is published Monday through Saturday mornings as the Albuquerque Journal, and Sunday mornings as the Sunday Journal. reported. "He grew up humbly, and that's always who he was," his daughter Anne Hillerman told the Journal. "Despite all the honors and recognition he got, he always stayed the same guy." Born on May 27, 1925 in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma Sacred Heart is a small community in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. Established in 1879 by Father Isidore Robot as a Catholic mission on the old Pottawatomie reserve, it was originally named Sacred Heart Mission. , Hillerman spent more than half a century in New Mexico, where he taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico The University of New Mexico (UNM) is a public university in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was founded in 1889. It also offers multiple bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs in all areas of the arts, sciences, and engineering. . In his youth he fought in France during World War II, and was wounded and decorated. Upon his return to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. he took up journalism, notably at United Press International, and then began a series of very successful Navajo novels. In 1970 he published his first novel in the series, "The Blessing Way," featuring his Navajo protagonist Joe Leaphorn, an ageing tribal police officer whose investigations often led him to a Navajo reservation were he encountered strong beliefs in an elaborate spirit world. Leaphorn also appeared in "Dance Hall of the Dead" (1973) and "Listening Woman" (1978). He also wrote about Navajo crimefighter Jim Chee, who appeared in "The People of Darkness People Of Darkness is the first Tony Hillerman novel to feature Officer Jim Chee. The plot also involves a stolen box, an explosion at an oil well, and a group known as the People Of Darkness. " (1980), "The Dark Wind" (1982) and "The Ghostway" (1985). In most of his books the beautiful yet unforgiving landscape of the Southwest often took center stage. "The landscape out there just always blew him away. It's just an incredibly vast and gorgeous, gorgeous country," Anne Hillerman said of the settings for her father's books. Despite sales into the millions, he remained true to his roots. "He grew up basically as a country boy, and that's always who he was," she told the Journal. "I think that's one reason why he really enjoyed and found so much inspiration in writing about the Navajo people." Hillerman is survived by his wife Marie, and six children. 
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