Pete Hilton

George D. "Pete" Hilton of Marianna, passed away
May 27, 2017 in Jackson Hospital surrounded by his
family.
Pete was born January 6, 1931 in Youngstown, Florida to
George D. and Omie Blackburn Hilton. He attended Bay
County and Marianna High Schools. He was a Navy veteran
serving in the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from
the Navy, he worked in Maintenance at Graham Air Base and on
the family farm in Kynesville. He and his wife, Eddie,
moved from Kynesville to Cottondale in 1964 where they then
owned and operated Hilton's IGA for over 20 years. He
was a member of the Cottondale Volunteer Fire Department and
served on the Cottondale City Commission where he was Mayor
for several terms. He was Cottondale's City Manager for
eight years before his retirement. He was also a member of
the Cottondale Kiwanis Club.
Pete was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marianna,
and enjoyed the fellowship of the Fisherman's Sunday
School Class. He was ordained as a deacon in 1958. He
served his Deacon families in Bethlehem Baptist Church in
Kynesville, First Baptist Church in Cottondale, and First
Baptist Church in Marianna. He served as Moderator of the
Chipola Baptist Association for four years.
Pete was a member of the American Legion Smith Kelly Post
100 where he served as the Post's Chaplain for several
years and was Post Commander for two terms.
He was on the Board for the Jackson County Habitat for
Humanity. He enjoyed helping build and later supervise the
building of several homes in Jackson County.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, George D. and Omie
Hilton, sisters, Gladys Suggs and husband, J.V. and Peggy
Hawthorne and husband, Joseph; his first grandson Ryan
Hilton Russell, Brother-in-Law Arnold Lambe, Sister-in-Law
Betty Padgett, and Brother-in-law and Sister-in-Law Lloyd
& Myrtle Padgett.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eddie Padgett
Hilton; daughter Susan Russell and husband Raymond of
Blountstown; son David Hilton and wife, Renea of Marianna;
Grandsons, Kyle Russell and wife, Maegan of Blountstown and
Marshall Hilton and wife, Tiffany of Brewton, AL. He is
also survived by Sisters-in-Law Katie Padgett and Lola
Lambe; Brother-in-Law John Padgett all of Marianna, and a
host of nieces and nephews. He would have met his first
great-grandchild, Julie Ann Russell in early July.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 30, 2017,
beginning at ten o'clock in the morning at the First
Baptist Church in Marianna with Rev. Jeff Powell
officiating. Private family interment will follow in
Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery in Kynesville.
Viewing will be Monday, May 29, from five until seven
o'clock in the evening at James & Sikes Funeral
Home in Marianna.