Rudolph "Rudy" Hilton

Mischievous youngest child, born to a large family, becomes an outstanding student, Walkertown Wolf Pack athlete, Boy Scout leader, young father and church youth leader. His interest in construction and building maintenance spans 50 years and 52 million square feet, including directing masons on the largest tobacco manufacturing plant in the world and directing installation of the custom-built, 30 stop Holtkamp organ in Austin Memorial Chapel of Wingate University. His crowning achievement was directing construction of the Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, in Birmingham, Ala. Hodges Chapel's soaring dome exhibits breathtaking paintings and sculptures of prominent figures and martyrs from Christian history by Romanian artist Petru Botezatu. It was often difficult to discern Rudy's greatest interest … his Lord, his family, books, playing the piano, teaching, directing youth activities, or his buildings, as they often came in conflict for his attention. Somehow, magically he always managed to balance them all. Growing up in Walkertown, Rudy cut his teeth in the construction maintenance division of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Rudy's work carried him to Wingate and Samford Universities as Director of their physical plants, then back to Winston-Salem. Rudy was preceded in death by his loving wife Elaine Inman Hilton, son Keith Hilton, parents Gaither and Carrie Morris Hilton, siblings Edna, Willard, Hilda, Gaither, Walter, and great grandson Gabriel Williams. Granddaddy lovingly lives on in the memories of his sons Chris (Pam) Hilton, Grayson (Katherine) Hilton, daughter Debbie (Gerry) Williams, former daughters-in-law Patsy (Bill) Justice, Susie Hilton, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The family is thankful for the blessing of long-term care giver Teresa McLean. Rudy was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. The family will receive friends at Hayworth-Miller on Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, Sunday, July 16, from 3 to 5 PM. There will be a graveside service at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Walkertown at 10 AM on Monday, July 17 with Rev. Gary Byrum officiating. Charitable contributions for the care of Rudy's special great-grandson can be made out to Pinedale Christian Church with Jonah Williams Fund in the memo line, mailed to 3395 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127.

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