Ben B. Hilburn
Ben B. Hilburn, 93, passed away peacefully in Lockhart, Texas, on Oct. 19, 2010, from natural causes. He was born on Nov. 25, 1916, on a farm in Erath County outside of Dublin, Texas, as the third son of Walter H. and Lydia A. Hilburn, with two older brothers, Paul Walter Hilburn, Albert Dean Hilburn, and a younger sister, Johnnie Louise Raborn, preceding him in death.
In 1938, Ben Hilburn married Pauline Stringer while attending the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas A&M University. He joined the Navy in World War II in service to his country. Ben Hilburn spent his professional life as a livestock feed salesman, winning multiple top salesman awards. After moving to Lockhart in 1949, working for Armo Mills Feed, his work took him to Fredericksburg in 1961, with Master Mix, and then to San Antonio and Uvalde, Texas.
In 1980, Ben retired and returned to Lockhart to enjoy his long-time friendships developed in the community. Wherever he lived, he took great pride in tending to his vegetable gardens. He was proud to be a member of the First Lockhart Baptist Church and was a 32-degree member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite fraternal brotherhood of the Lockhart Masonic Lodge. He was a founding member and first President for many years of the AARP Chapter of Lockhart. Ben was actively involved in multiple community organizations, volunteer groups, and was honored working with SALT in past years.
Family preceding him in death are: Pauline Hilburn, his loving wife of 63 years; his daughter, Peggy Joyce Griffith, and her husband, Rodney, of Lockhart; and his Travis Ryan Thompson, of Roswell, Ga.
He is survived by his children: Benny Mac Hilburn and wife, Linda, of Lockhart, Jon Ann Thompson and husband, Al, of Roswell, Ga., and Jennifer Lyn Francis and husband, Neal, of Post, Texas. He had 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren living in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee, and many nieces and nephews.
The family met friends at the McCurdy Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010. His funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at 10 a.m. in the First Lockhart Baptist Church, in Lockhart, Texas. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were Ben Hilburn’s grandsons and granddaughters and their spouses. The interment was held immediately following the funeral service at the Municipal Burial Park in Lockhart.
Ben Hilburn will be lovingly remembered as a man who loved God, family, country, the Dallas Cowboys, The Texas Aggies, The Grand Ole Opry, Country/Gospel music.
