Bim Daniel Hilton

On Saturday morning, July 28, 2007, Bim Daniel Hilton met the Master Carpenter face to face. Mr. Hilton was born on April 3, 1922 in Arkansas to Swann and Mary Lou Hilton. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wiley Hilton (Addie Bee) and sister, Mildred Phillips (Lex). He is survived by his brother, Shelby Hilton (Voida Belle) of Kannapolis and his brother, R. J. Hilton (Doris) of Florida. Mr. Hilton lived most of his life in Kannapolis. He attended school here and returned to Kannapolis after serving his country in World War II. He was proud to have been a member of Antiaircraft Artillery, Company C, 22nd Battalion of the U.S. Army. After the war, he began his career as a fine builder of homes and churches. He was a very talented man and shared his gifts through his business, Hilton's Construction Company. In 1942, he married his life partner, Dora Britt Hilton. They made their home at 806 Miller Street in Kannapolis for 65 years. Dora was always there to help and support him in his work and was his primary caregiver throughout his long illness. The Hiltons have been active members of West Point Baptist Church for 65 years. Mr. Hilton served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Leader of Royal Ambassadors, Camp Leader and Resident Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton have five children, James Hilton (Linda) of Wingate, Gerald Hilton (Sandra) of Kannapolis, Gwin Hilton (Sally) of Gastonia, Delores Evans (Jeff) of Kinston, and Deana Millan (Nicolas) of Kannapolis. Added to the family are 12 grandchildren, Chris Hilton (Kim) of Virginia, Britt Hilton of Wingate, Jamie Shepherd (David) of Charlotte, Susie Hilton of Delhi, India, Tim Hilton (Suzanne) of Kannapolis, Kurt Hilton (Sheena) of Chapel Hill, Kelly Vanderburg (Micah) of Concord, Daniel and Jonathan Hilton of Gastonia, Brad Evans of Greenville, Devin Rogers of Kannapolis, and Alexia Millan of Kannapolis. His 10 great-grandchildren are Alexander, Anna Catherine and Atkinson Hilton of Virginia, Andrew Johnson of Indian Trail, Hannah and Luke Shepherd of Charlotte, Walker and Anna-Claire Hilton of Kannapolis, and Asher and Ellis Vanderburg of Concord. Mr. Hilton also leaves several well-loved nieces and nephews. As we celebrate his life and his gifts to all of us, we will greatly miss his presence. He was a constant advisor and supporter to his family and friends. He brought much delight with his frequent teasing and good-natured pranks. We are grateful for peace and assurance that he has reached his eternal home and is already helping our Lord to build a place for us. I declining health for several years, Mr. Hilton was hospitalized briefly at NorthEast Medical Center and in Five Oaks Nursing Home. His family is very grateful for the loving care he received and for the wonderful support given to his wife, Dora. Mr. Hilton's family will be assisted with the services to celebrate his life by Lady's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday evening, July 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. The service will be at West Point Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Memorial Gifts be given to West Point Baptist Church Building or Foreign Missions Fund, 1100 Pine Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Boy Scout Camp Road, Kannapolis, NC 28081.