Clayton M. Hilts

Clayton "Clay" M. Hilts, 71, of Edgar, peacefully went to be with his Lord, Friday, August 31, 2012 at home with his family after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born August 1, 1941, in Milwaukee, son of Milo and Mayme (Severi) Hilts. He was raised on a dairy farm in Jackson County. On June 5, 1965, he married Lynn Ellos at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Hurley. Clay was a veteran of the US Marine Corps serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis and had been stationed in Japan, Korea, the Philippines and various stateside bases. He then served 23 years with the Army National Guard. He started with the Guard in Wisconsin Rapids and in Clintonville he was a First Sergeant. He transferred to Arizona where he retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major while serving with the Engineer Troop Command. He was a member of the American Legion Sawyer-Drumm Post 393, Edgar and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Edgar memorial Post No. 10187. From 1965 until 1985, Clay worked for Fey Publishing, Wisconsin Rapids. The Hilts moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1985 where Clay was employed at Andresen Typographics until 1998. In 1998, they moved to Bullhead City, Arizona where he worked in casino security until retiring in 2000 and returning to Wisconsin. Once back in Wisconsin, he enjoyed working for local dairy farmers and volunteering as a driver for the DAV. Through the years, Clay had been involved in various organizations and causes. Among them, he served as a hunter education instructor in Wisconsin and Arizona, was an active member of the NRA and enjoyed hunting, especially deer and waterfowl. Survivors include his wife, Lynn Hilts, Edgar, one son, Bryan (Michelle) Hilts, Marathon, two granddaughters, Emily and Audrey Hilts, Madison, one brother, Thomas (Estelle) Hilts, Norman, Okla., nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Keith Hilts and sister-in-law Lois Hilts. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated10:00 a.m. Friday September 7, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar, with Military Honors conducted outside the church following the Mass. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Burial will be in the Sechlerville Cemetery near Hixton, WI. Visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. Thursday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar. American Legion and VFW Memorial Service will precede the rosary on the evening of visitation. There will be visitation on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.