Andrew Jack Hilton, age 87, of Mt. Airy, passed away on February 1, 2023.
Born in Hiawassee, Georgia, on April 28, 1935, Jack was the son of the late Andrew C. And Era Bell Cloer Hilton. He was a retired United States Navy veteran and he also retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Jack was a molder in the Navy, earning the rank of Senior Chief. He ran the foundry on whichever ship he was assigned to and his last duty assignment was the Chief Master at Arms of the Atlantic Fleet, having served under Admiral Kidd. Jack had a love for hiking and the outdoors, which led to his enjoyment of travel and RV’ing. He was a founding member of the NEGA Hiking Club and had hiked a great portion of the Appalachian Trail and he also logged many miles hiking out west. Jack was a jack of all trades and could fix absolutely anything with baling wire. He enjoyed working on his property and making it an even prettier place. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post# 7720 and St. Mark Catholic Church. In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by brothers Rex Hilton and Steve Hilton and sisters Mabel Noblett, Margie “Jimmie” Means, Edith Wilson, Reba Cantrell, and infant sister Ruth Hilton.
Survivors include his wife, Beckie Taylor Hilton of Mt. Airy, sons John Hilton (Alma) of Clarkesville, Allen Hilton of Toccoa, Randy Hilton (Sharon) of Toccoa, Jim Todd (Julie) of Knoxville, TN, Joe Todd of Mt. Airy and Jeff Todd (Lisa) of New Smyrna Beach, FL, brother Bob Hilton (Shirley) of Clarkesville, sisters Betty Marlow of Loganville, Dot Irvin of Demorest, and Peggy Lemkowitz of Knoxville, TN, grandchildren Jay Hilton, Shannon Hilton, Corey Hilton, James Todd (Jessica), Hunter Todd, Jeffrey Todd, Emily Bird (Heath) and Amber Todd, four great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
A visitation and reception will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM at the Grace Calvary Parrish Hall. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday at Grace Calvary Episcopal Church at 12:30 PM with Pastor Doris Graf-Smith, officiating. Private interment will be in Hillside Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, where Jack selflessly served after retirement (habitatnega.org), or to The Sharing and Caring Place (sharingncaring.org).
An online guest book is available for the family at www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville, GA. 706-754-6256.
