Robert William Hildreth
1927 - 2011
Robert William (Bill) Hildreth passed away at home surrounded by his loving family after courageously fighting cancer.
He was born Jan. 31, 1927, at the old Barrett Hospital in Dillon to E.W. and Bessie Hildreth. He was a fourth generation rancher on the Medicine Lodge Ranch.
He served in the army from 1950 to 1952 in Germany at the Mannheim Ordinance Depot. He met Gisela Krieger in Weinheim where they were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Upon returning to the United States, they started their family at the Medicine Lodge Ranch.
During his life he was an accomplished mechanic, ran a business south of Dillon for 21 years, was an excellent hunting guide and enjoyed his travels to Canada, and numerous states from the east to west coast, and to his favorite place – Germany.
Piloting his Piper Cub was one of his greatest joys and he flew often. One of his best trips was to Alaska in 2002 for their 50th anniversary. He finally made it after waiting 70 years.
He loved the outdoors and felt closest to God when he was in his beloved mountains. Family and friends were entertained by his storytelling skills. Many considered him a jack-of-all trades.
He was preceded in death by his father, E.W., and mother, Bessie Hildreth; and brother, Henry (Pat) Hildreth.
He is survived by his wife Gisela; children, Heleen (Lloyd) Omsberg, Hester Hildreth, Shawn (Greg) Hegdal, Adam (Mary) Hildreth, and Krista (David) Spoon; grandchildren, Nathan and Troy Omsberg, Alex, Shilo, Jacey, and Colton Hegdal, Megan Terry and Malorie Hildreth; and great-granddaughter, Teagan Hegdal; brothers, Eugene, Lowell, Raymond and Edward Hildreth and spouses; brother-in-law, Ludwig Krieger; and sisters-in-law, Heidrun Krieger, Germany, and Trudy Hildreth, Dillon.
There was a visitation Friday, April 1, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and funeral services at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at BrundageChapel, followed by a reception at the First Presbyterian Church.
A guestbook is available on-line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Donations can be made to Barrett Hospital Hospice.
Now you can soar with eagles – Isaiah 40:31a.
Posts
