James “Jim” Hines Hilt, Jr, age 88 of Fortson, Georgia passed away on April 28, 2026. A memorial service will be held Friday, May, 1, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Columbus; a visitation will precede the service from 1:00 PM until 1:50 P.M.
Jim was born on December 6, 1937 in Columbus, Georgia; the son of James and Irene Hilt. Jim graduated from Columbus High School before going to Auburn and graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1961. Jim was a commercial real estate agent for over 50 years in the Columbus area. He was a past President of the East Columbus Rotary now known as the North Columbus Rotary, he also served on the board of Commercial Realtors for over 30 years.
Survivors include: his loving wife, Carolyn N. Earley; his stepson, William “Jake” Cox; a sister, Judy Hawthorne and her husband Wilson Hawthorne, Sr.; two nephews, Wilson Hawthorne, Jr., Sam Hawthorne; and two nieces, Amy Hawthorne Cirino, and Cathy Hawthorne.
