On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, surrounded by his family, William Ernest Kilman, known affectionately as “Ernie”, passed away from this life, and was gloriously welcomed into the eternal presence of our God at the age of 65. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Ernie was born July 29, 1958, into the lives of two loving parents: Wallace Earl Kilman and Bessie McDowell Isaac Kilman, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The family moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1960. He graduated from Jim Hill High School in Jackson in 1976, after which he attended Mississippi College.
After marrying his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Suzanne Benton, in 1979, they made their home in Clinton. Over the next four decades, they brought five sons into the world and are blessed with six grandchildren. Ernie became a master craftsman, builder of residential homes, and successful multi-phase neighborhood developer in Jackson and the surrounding communities.
Ernie was a very involved member of First Baptist Church Raymond where he served as deacon, sang in the choir, and gave his time to many church committees. He was dedicated to serving the church body. Always ready to serve those around him, Ernie spent time leading the benevolent operations of the church’s food pantry ministry.
Ernie was man of lifelong, unwavering character and faith. A caring husband and father who always looked forward to having his children and grandchildren gathered together. When he wasn’t working on the family farm, he enjoyed carpentry, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Most of all, he enjoyed passing these passions down to the next generations of Kilmans.
Mr. Kilman was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Earl Kilman. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Suzanne Benton Kilman; his mother, Bessie Isaac Kilman of Clinton, Mississippi; brother, Wallace Earl Kilman, Jr. of Texas; his sons: Dr. Benton Ernest “Ben” Kilman and daughter-in-law Nicole Thomason Kilman of Tupelo, Mississippi; Dr. Taylor Andrew Kilman and daughter-in-law Nissa Sandford Kilman of Vero Beach, Florida; Daniel Louis Kilman and daughter-in-law Jennifer Russell Kilman of Dallas, Texas; John Richard Kilman and daughter-in-law Clara Winter Kilman of Clinton, Mississippi; Zachary Lee Kilman and daughter-in-law Brittany Eads Kilman of Friendswood, Texas; his grandchildren: Ava Grace Kilman, William Thomas Kilman, and Cole Benton Kilman of Tupelo, Mississippi; Ella Rose Kilman and Max Andrew Kilman of Vero Beach, Florida; Skylar Anne Kilman of Friendswood, Texas; and a grandson due in June of Dallas, Texas.
There is great comfort for our family knowing that Ernie completed all that this life asked of him, is finished with his earthly suffering, and is now at perfect peace in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Though we mourn his absence and will miss him greatly, we know he was a blessing to the lives of all who knew him. We are thankful to God for the good gift of his life to us and to others. The world is a better place because of the life that Ernie Kilman lived.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 12:30 PM at First Baptist Raymond (located at 207 East Palestine Street in Raymond) followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM at the same location. Afterwards, a graveside service will be held at Clinton Cemetery, located at 500 East College Street in Clinton, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, dedications in his honor can be made to: First Baptist Raymond/Food Pantry, PO Box 728, Raymond, Mississippi 39154
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