Ernie Hilton
KITTY HAWK – Commander David Ernest Hilton, USN (Ret), known as Ernie to his family and friends, went home to be with his Lord, February 19, 2012, in Kitty Hawk, NC at the home of his son, Dave Hilton, surrounded by his loving family. Ernie was born in Waycross, GA on April 8, 1913, son of the late David Eddie Hilton and Pearl Smith Hilton. His wife Sarah Elnora Stafford Hilton and son Thomas Forney Hilton as well as sisters Thelma Brownlee, Bertha Jones, Lena Munroe and Bonnie Hilton predeceased him.
He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Captain David Hilton, USN (Ret) and daughter-in-law, Lola Hilton of Kitty Hawk, and his daughter, Sue Kathleen (Kay) Kenneally of Elizabeth City. Grandchildren include David Vincent Hilton and wife Amy, Ocracoke; Michael Hilton and wife Linda, Hatteras Village; Patrick Hilton and wife Mary Helen, Chesapeake; Michele Hilton and husband Dragos Bordinca, Jacksonville, FL; and Cynthia Blackwell, Brooklyn, NY. Great grandchildren, Colin and Casey Hilton; Nina Bella and Emma Bordinca, and Olivier and Jean-Michel Severin.
Ernie was the brother to 10 sisters. Surviving sisters include: Lola Mae Peterson of Rocky Mount; Betty Martin and husband Stu of Athens, GA; Veneda Hilton of Atlanta, GA; Geneva Hilton of Atlanta, GA; Audrey Tucker and husband James of Waycross, GA; and Lutrelle Smith and husband Rod of York, PA and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
Ernie’s service to his country spanned more than 30 years and he loved his country every day of his life. He joined the Navy in 1931 going to boot camp at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He began his career in the field of shipboard gunnery serving on gunboats, destroyers and the Heavy Cruiser USS Chester achieving the grade of Gunners Mate First Class Petty Officer (E-6). With World War II approaching and the rapid introduction of aircraft into the Navy, he was offered the opportunity to shift career paths and enter the field of Aviation Ordinance where he was rapidly promoted to the grade of Aviation Ordinance Chief Petty Officer (E-7). In 1943 he was transferred to Port Lyautey, French Morocco, North Africa to support the invasion of North Africa and Sicily. During this assignment he was selected to become a Limited Duty Officer, Aviation Ordinance and was promoted to Ensign, USN. In his new career path he served in various assignments and became recognized as an expert in aviation mines. In 1953 he was assigned to Naval Air Station Iwakuni, Japan serving as the Security Officer. He was promoted to Commander on 1 April 1960 while serving as Training Officer for Aviation Ordinancemen, at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, Florida. His final assignment was Weapons Officer, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, where he retired from naval service on 30 June 1964 with 30 years and 4 months of honorable service. Ernie was extremely proud that he was a Navy “Mustang Officer” rising from the enlisted rates and serving in every pay grade in route to his statutory limit of Commander. At the time of his retirement he was the most senior Navy Aviation Ordinance Officer on active duty. His awards include, American Defense Medal, European African Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, and the National Defense Medal. He was also qualified as an expert shooting the Pistol.
Following his Navy career and after the passing of his wife Elnora, he married Lucille Higgins Floyd and they lived in Asheville, NC. Her family became his family. They include stepdaughters Floralynn Odom & Myron Smith, of Atlanta; and Freddie Hargis of Kentucky. Grandchildren include Wendy Thomas and husband Trent; Kristin and Jordan Hargis; Brandon Hargis and wife Kim; Troy Mangrum and Tony Mangrum. Great Grandchildren include: Shae, Ty and Tripp Trent; Camden Hargis; Sean, Amber and Chase Mangrum; Kevin, Brianna and Tyler Mangrum; and Leslie, Christian and Corey Mangrum. His wife, Lucille Hilton, stepdaughter Anita Mangrum and grandchildren Lloyd and Gene Mangrum predeceased him.
In 2004 Ernie moved to Elizabeth City to live with his daughter, Kay and be close to his son and grandchildren in Eastern, NC. He soon found his wonderful church family through a new acquaintance who would become one of his dearest friends, Sonny Howell and wife, Faye. His church, City Road United Methodist Church and Pastor Charles McKenzie, welcomed him with open arms. Before long, Ernie was a member of his new church and beloved Sunday school, The Collier Class. He was also a regular at the Methodist Men’s Fellowship Breakfast; Albemarle Hospital Cardiac Rehab Exercise Class (where he was the role model for many as he worked out and exercised). Ernie was a 32nd Degree Mason for over 50 years and lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America. In December he moved to Kitty Hawk to spend his final days with his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Lola.
The family expresses appreciation to the entire Dare Home Health and Hospice Team headed by Ellie Ward; Outer Banks Hospital; Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church “The Seekers” Sunday school class; and special caregiver Char Gauvreau.
Ernie never met a stranger and his quick wit gentle soul endeared him to all who came to know him. We know he is having a grand “Welcome Aboard” party with his family in Heaven and his Savior, Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ernie Hilton to: City Road UMC Building Fund, 511 N Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 till 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 23 at Twiford Memorial Chapel. A celebration of his life will be conducted at noon on Friday, February 24 by the Reverend Charles McKenzie, at City Road United Methodist Church, 511 N Road Street, Elizabeth City, 27909 followed by Interment at West Lawn Cemetery, Elizabeth City. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Hilton family. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.
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Humble yourselves,In the sight of the Lord,and he shall lift you up.Our prayers are with you.We love you.
David & Kay
So very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a wonderful and loving man. I know he will be missed by many. You both were very lucky to of had so many wonderful years with him.
I know he is in a better place now and watching down on all of you and smiling with the rest of his family that was there waiting on him.
Fair winds and following seas my friend and brother in law.
Bennie Roughton
As a close and long-time friend of your father’s niece, Betty Zane Morris, in Rome GA, I rejoiced in the wonderful life of your father outlined in the obituary! As the daughter of a sailor in WWII, I felt a kinship with Ernie and your family. You have a marvelous heritage to cherish and hand down to his many descendants and loved ones! God bless you all.
Ernie was an inspiration to us ALL
He will need very BIG angel wings!
Dear Family,
What a treasure Ernie was to all he came into contact with. I remember when he & Lucille started dating, and we went over to his house and I met him, and immediately I felt as though I had known him all my life. He treated me as one of his own. We had many meaningful conversations, and a lot of good laughs.Ernie built me many things in his shop, one of them being a bench which I still admire today.
He will be sorely missed by all, but what a life he had. My Thanks to you Kay, David, & Lola for the good care you gave to him.
May you have peace in your hearts during the following days, from the beautiful memories and long life your Dad had.
Once again, to you Ernie……Thank you for the service to our country!
May the Good Lord be with you and all of your family during this time. Your Dad is a very special man and will be missed by all who know and love him.
I know your Dad loved all of you and all the things you did for him without asking anything in return.
LOVE,
Benita, Claude, Frankie, Isis and Echo
dADDY, MAY YOU HAVE FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY! LOVE, KAY
Dave & Lola, I did not know Dave’s father and I am so sorry for the lose of a loved one, especially a father. God will comfort and hold the family in his arms. Thinking and praying for you and Dave. The “Welcome Aboard” party will be a joyous time for Mr. Hilton and his spiritual family. Love both of you. Donald & Judy Garrett
KAY, DAVE, LOLA AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY,
WE DO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY IN YOUR GREAT LOSS. WHAT A HERITAGE ERNIE HAS LEFT! HE WAS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS “A TRUE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN.” REST IN PEACE, OUR DEAR FRIEND. KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU AND WE ARE MISSING YOU ALREADY. PSALM 63:3 “BECAUSE YOUR LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL GLORIFY YOU.” LOVE TO ALL.
Hey all of the Hiltons. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful life David Ernest had and praise him for his dedication to his country; that’s just wonderful. May you find comfort within each other over the next few days of celebration and remembrance. My thoughts are with you all.
Lots of Love,
Winx
XOXO
“Grandpa Ernie” (as I started calling him after
Olivier & Jean-Michel were born) was a perfect model for kindness, calm, and honesty! He will definitely be missed and I feel blessed to have had him I’m my life.
Kay, David,Lola and the rest of your family who took such great care of uncle Ernie,
Your actions during Ernie’s last days and during his homegoing are an inspiration to us all.
We will miss this gentle soul.
Lynn
To all the Family :It was a pleasure to know Ernie I worked out with him at Cardiac Rehab he was an inspiration to me and all the others who exercise with him. Just want you to know you and all his family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May God continue to comfort you and his family now and the days ahead. in Christian Love Gloria Manning
Dear Dick and Lola, we are thinking of you. what a right up in the paper. I have never seen so much appreciation for his country. Thank you for sharing. we are thinking of you at this time. Our best, Katie and Peter Bill McOrmond
well grandpa ernie hope you’re having a great time in heaven and you were a great grandpa and a friand and you always had time for casey and me. I hope you enjoied when i played amazing grace on my clarinet and i will always love you.
love,
Colin Hilton
Dear Kay, David and family,
I really enjoyed learning about your Father’s life and the great man he is. I wish I had had the opportunity to know him. I missed out other than to say ”
Hi” to him thru Kay and by praying for him and Kay. I’m praying the Good Lord will meet all your needs and comfort and console you thru His Holy Spirit. Love and prayers, Wendy
Dave, Lola, Kay, and all Ernie’s family,
I am deeply appreciative that I had the opportunity to meet and know Ernie. He was a great man with vast memories and wisdom sparkling behind those smiling eyes. Our deepest sympathy to all of you as you balance the grief of loss here on earth with the celebration of Eternal life you know Ernie is enjoying. His Savior was well pleased with his life and his legacies here on earth.
Dear Dave, Lola and family,
It’s always so very hard to lose a parent, especially when they have been in your lives for so many years. The glory is that we know he is in the Kingdom that we all look forward to one day. No more pain, no more suffering, and in the heavens with the angels and our Lord…..With our deepest Sympathy,
Always, Bonnie & John & family
Fair Winds and Following Seas from a fellow Aviation Ordnanceman.
Dave, our sincerest condolences.
It is a shame we haven’t seen each other in such a long time. Now that we know where you are we might be able to change that.
Our best to you and yours,
Don and Sandy
To All the Hilton’s: Pam and I were so sorry to read of Ernie’s passing. Our deepest sympathy is with you all. Pam & Reggie Wesberry
I hope all went well and your father received the honors deserving of a veteran and true hero who’s personal sacrifices’ still live on today in the freedom we all enjoy in this great country. Once again, I personally “salute Ernie” as a fellow veteran and send our prayers and love from the Hardenhouse in San Diego.
Larry, Barb, Tim, Mike and Kristine
My sincere condolences to Hilton family. May loving memories of Mr Ernie bring strength to your family at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Crystal Blackmon
Dear Dave and Kay,
I was so shocked to see that Ernie had passed away. I thought he was still living in Asheville or Barbara and I would have surely come to visit him. Our families go back such a long way and I can remember visiting at your homes in Ocean View and in Jacksonville. Ernie was always such a special person to us all, and my Mom and Dad just thought so highly of him. He deserved to live the nice, long life that he did, and I know he had a welcome in heaven like no other with all of his family and friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Your Dad was the definition of a true “gentle man”!
Love, Dianne