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LELAND H. HILT

Leland H Hilt Sr., age 87 the beloved husband of the late Mary Hitt, died on Wednesday April 12, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
    Born in Troy on June 26. 1929 he was the son of the late Marjorie M Hitt and Leland S Hitt/
   Lee was a graduate of Troy High School. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. After serving his country, Lee returned to the Troy area and married his "Angie," Mary Frances Campana in 1953, a union that tasted until her death in 2012.
   Lee worked for St Regis Paper Company in Cohoes for over 35 years advancing to the position of shop superintendent .Throughout this time Lee was the owner and operator of the family egg farm Best of the Nest.
   Lee started an auto repair shoe with his son, N&L Auto Body, in 1984, a shoo still thriving today.
   Lee and Mary wars lifelong residents of Averill Park. He was a former member of the Averill Park fire Department. Kiwanis Club. Toastmasters Club, the North Eastern Woodworkers Association, and the Emerald Club of Troy.
   He was a strong, self-sufficient man, who loved farming his land and caring for his seven children, ail born within nine years
   He is survived by his seven children Pamela (Mark) McKee Sr, of Troy, Wendy (Stuart); James of Fort Lauderdale. Fla., Leland (Anne Rorke) Hilt Jr. of Colonie, Marjorie (Kevin) Miller Sr. of Johnsonville, Dominick Hilt Sr., of Averill Park; Nancy Bonesteel of Averill Park and Allison Frances Vardaro Sr of Hingham. Mass and the joys, of his life, his 19 grandchildren. Jennifer Lambert, Jo Anna Graber and Mark McKee Jr. and Kevin. Moira and Patrick Hilt and Kevin Jr., Corey, and Kyle Miller and Kevin, Cindy, Danielle 3rd Dominick Hilt Jr. and Briana, Brena and Brice Bonesteel. and Maria Francis Jr and Janelle Vardaro as well as his 13 cherished great grandchildren.
  He is survived by his brother George (Evelyn) Hilt, his sisters Ruth Gorham and Marilyn Hanby and his brother-in-law Henry Hilt.
   Leland was predeceased by his sister, Joan Hiilje and his brother-in-law Bob Hanby.
   The family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Lisa M. Thom for her dignified care and compassion also Dr Joseph J Dudek and Amanda Dipierro PA plus the nurses and staff of N.Y.O.H*.
  The funeral will be from St. Henrys Church, Averill Park on Wednesday, April 19, at 10 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial with military honors will follow in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Schuylerville.
   Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p m in St. Henry's Church on Tuesday,. April 18.
   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the N.Y.O.H. Community Cancer Foundation at 449 Route 146, Suite 101 Clifton Park, NY 12065 in memory of Leland.
   Arrangements are being handled by the Wyantskill Funeral Home

[The Record, Troy, NY, Apr. 17, 2017]
[* Jumpmaster note: "N.Y.O.H.  stands for ""New York Oncology Hematology"]


[courtesy of Bill Preston]

Leland was selected for induction by his local draft board on 16 January 1951.

He graduated from jump school in 1951 and was assigned to the  508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, Fort Benning, Ga.

Pfc Hilt was discharged in January or February, 1953.