Troy Stephen Hilton

Mr. Troy S. Hilton, 86, died Thursday, August 18, 2011 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 27, at Wesleyanna Methodist Church in Star with interment to follow in Wesleyanna Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 Friday at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland and preceding the service at 10 AM Saturday at the church.

Troy was born in Star, MS on February 19, 1925. He graduated from high school in a class of three students. After graduation, he joined the Navy and served in World War II. After the war, he moved to Clarksdale where he met a beautiful young woman, Ann, who would become his wife of 56 years. He lived in various places including Phoenix, Arizona and Tupelo, Mississippi.

Troy was a top-notch insurance man with Gulf Life and rose to be a district manager. In retirement, he pursued many interests such as woodworking, in which he created beautiful chairs, puzzles, and toys for his family. He also enjoyed race-walking, card-playing with his children and grandchildren, watching his favorite westerns, rooting on his New Orleans Saints, and traveling.

The true measure of his life, however, was his love for his wife Ann, who died in 2006, and for his family. He showed us kindness, patience, humor, and love with no boundary. While we are all sad and will miss his gentle soul, we are happy that he is finally reunited with our mom Ann, the love of his life. As he so poignantly said, “Our love is forever”.

Troy is survived by his daughter, Daphne Weirich (Mike) of Salem, OR; sons: Stephen Hilton (Sylvia) of Foley, AL, Kevin Hilton (Maria) of Bridgewater, NJ, Patrick Hilton (Delia) of Brandon, MS, and Greg Hilton (Cindy) of Vicksburg, MS; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

We would like to thank Mary Jackson, Pearl Turner, Vanessa Barnes, and Ola Haygood for the loving care they gave our dad in the last few years of his life. To Jack Loftin, we also extend our deep thanks for the Friday lunches and for the love you gave our dad.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284 (800-242-8721 www.heart.org).