Claude L. Hilton, 84, of Soddy-Daisy, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, at a local hospital.
Mr. Hilton was born on March 18, 1919, and served four years with the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and 11 years in the reserves. He attained the rank of sergeant.
He was the founder of Hilton-Blair TV Sales and Service and was the owner-operator of Hilton & Associates, a private investigator company. He was chairman of the Chattanooga chapter of Private Investigators.
Mr. Hilton was past commodore two times for the Loret Boat Club. He also was past commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Chattanooga, where he received the commander’s rating. Mr. Hilton was cruise master of the Fall Color Cruise for 34 years. Mr. Hilton was of the Baptist faith.
He was a lifetime member of the Alhambra Temple and was past captain of the marching patrol. He was a 32 nd-degree Scottish Rite Mason and was both a York and Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member of Hill City Lodge #603 F&AM and a member of the Knights Temple.
Mr. Hilton also was a member of Tennessee Electric Business Men’s Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Minnie Hilton; and seven siblings.
He is survived by his wife, Billie Hilton; son, Dennis Lee Hilton; daughters, Joy Greathouse and Kathy Jean Burns; stepsons, Jimmy Carter and Shane Reed; stepdaughters, Joy Glennette Bloodworth and Scarlett Kilgore; brothers, James W. Hilton of Georgetown, Ky., and Alton Hilton of Warner Robins, Ga.; a sister, Barbara Smenner of Manchester, Ga.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the chapel of Williamson & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Marcus Clagg and Father Michael Creson officiating.
A Masonic service will follow.
Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-9 p.m. today at the funeral home, phone (423) 332-1515.