Walter Lee Hildebrand, 100, of Greenville, passed away on January 31, 2022. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022, at 1:00pm at the chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Rev. David Hargrove, Dr. John T. Tate officiating. Burial will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at 12 noon until service time.
Walt was born September 21, 1921, to Fred and Lydia Hildebrand in Dickey County, North Dakota. He left the family farm in 1940 to work for Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle Washington, and in September of 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served as Crew Chief and Aireal Engineer for four engine pilot training on B-17 aircraft during World War II until December 1945.
In 1943, Walt and Juanita Robson of Mena, Arkansas were united in marriage and in 1945 blessed with a daughter, Lana Dean, while stationed at the base at Hobbs, New Mexico.
After discharge from the service they located to Mena, Arkansas in 1946 where Walt was employed with Rich Mountain Electric Coop as a construction foreman and later as operations superintendent until 1961 when he relocated to Greenville, Texas to work for LTV, which later became E-Systems. 1n 1992, he retired as Electrical Design Engineer.
In 1965, Walt married Vera Lynn McElwrath, who also retired from E-Systems in 1993, and preceded Walt in death in 2007.
Walt is survived by his granddaughter, Ladeana “DeDe” Bell, and great-granddaughter, Kelsey Bell, who both live in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Walt is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; daughter, Lana Dean Autry; stepsons, Ruel McElwrath (Scooter) and Rocky McElwrath and 2 sisters & 2 brothers. He is survived by his step-daughter, Sandra Hubbell with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Walt joined the Mena Elks Lodge in 1952 and later demitted to the Greenville Lodge and served three terms as Exalted Ruler. Walt was an active Elk, a devoted member of Central Christian Church, and continued to live independently until his passing.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Texas Children's Service address is 1963 FM 1586, Gonzales, TX. 78629 or txelks@gvec.net.