UNION – Lynwood Bradford Hilt, 100, a resident of the Payson Road, passed away with his three children at his bedside, Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Quarry Hill Care Facility in Camden. Mr. Hilt was born Dec. 28, 1903, in Hope, a son of Wilbur D. and Alice A. Sprague Hilt. He moved to Union with his family in 1917, and graduated from Union High School, Class of 1923. Mr. Hilt was employed in various vocations during his lifetime. Although, primarily a carpenter by trade, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for many years. In the early days, to ensure the mail went through in the winter months, he drove an early version of the snowmobile, a converted Model T Ford, with ski’s in place of the front wheels and treads on the rear. When that failed, he snow-shoed much of the route in the bitter cold. During World War II, he worked in the carpenter’s shop at the Camden Shipyard, supporting the construction of wooden barges for the war effort. He was also a poultry farmer, raising up to 25,000 broilers at a time. During his lifetime, he built many homes and cottages on Crawford Lake and Sennebec Pond. Along with the home construction, he remodeled many homes during his career. He retired in 1976 from the Knox Mining Co., where his primary responsibility was leasing land for exploration. Active in civic affairs, he served the town of Union as a selectman for many years, and as trustee of the Union Senior Apartments. A proud mason, he was a 79-year member of Union Masonic Lodge No. 31 twice served as master, and longtime treasurer. In addition, he was member of Scottish Rite Bodies, valley of Portland, Kora Shrine temple in Lewiston, Midcoast Shrine Club, and Eastern Star, and Pioneer Grange. An avid sportsman, he was member and past president of the Knox County Fish and Game Club, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed woodworking, making furniture for family members until his failing eyesight forced him to stop going out dancing, which he did until this past August, and was a member of the Knox County Liars Club, who met at Come Spring Restaurant, swapping stories and tall tales. For the past 13 years, Mr. Hilt wintered in Mt. Dora, Fla., where he maintained a small home and enjoyed visiting with his neighbors. Mr. Hilt was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn Sorber Hilt, who died in 1989; sister, Sara Wentworth; brother, Jesse Hilt. Survivors include sons, Milton B. Hilt and his wife, Sandra, of St. James City, Fla., and Union, Bruce C. Hilt of Union; daughter, Lynette H. Wessel of Union; grandchildren, Carol Daum and husband, Ted, of Sanford, Fla., Bradford Hilt and wife, Yoko, of Roswell, Ga., Lyndee Tisinger and husband, Eric, of Chandler, Ariz., Brian Hilt of Union, Melissa Winslow and husband, Jason, of Cushing; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. A Masonic memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at the Peoples United Methodist Church, Union, with the brethren of Union Lodge No. 13. Funeral service will follow immediately after, with the Rev. Michelle Grube officiating. Interment will be in East Union Cemetery. A gathering of friends will follow at the Union Masonic Lodge in Union. Should friend’s desire, memorial donations may be made to Union Lodge No. 13, P.O. Box 110, Union, ME 04862 in Mr. Hilts’ memory. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.
LYNWOOD BRADFORD HILT
