In Memory Of
James Kenneth Hilbird
1938
2023
James Kenneth Hilbird
July 3, 1938 — July 30, 2023
James Kenneth Hilbird, 85, of Douglas, passed away on July 30, 2023, at Memorial Hospital of Converse County.
He was born on a farm in North Bend, NE, on July 3,1938 to Edward R. & Pauline E. (Ehrich) Hilbird. In the early 1940's the family moved to Wyoming. Jim graduated from Rock River High School in 1957. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958 where he became a SEABEE and received his electrician education. Jim was released from active duty in 1962 and honorably discharged from the reserves in February of 1964. Jim was awarded a Medal of Valor for the Cold War for the Earthquake disaster during the hours of darkness in Morocco on March I & 2, 1960. James met the love of his life and best friend in August 1964, and soon married Leslie C. (Burns) Hilbird on December 26, 1964. Born to this union were 3 children.
He worked for Mountain Bell power line until 1971, when he started his mining career as a certified electrician with Energy Development underground mine, then to strip mines Arch Coal of Wyoming until 1985. In October 1985 Jim moved to Douglas and worked at Antelope Coal until his retirement in 2004. Jim then spent his retirement driving school bus until 2014. He enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, sports, traveling, and reading books. Jim also enjoyed league bowling and going to national tournaments with family and friends. Jim found pride in attending rodeos in Casper and Douglas, and attending and supporting his family that ran in the demolition derby's. He belonged to many organizations including but not limited to the Masonic Lodge from 1962 till his death where he made many friends and memories. Jim never met a stranger.
James is survived by his wife of 58 years Leslie Cleo (Burns) Hilbird. Children: Robin Hilbird-Bardgett (Joseph), Rhonda Jones (Michael), James Kenneth Hilbird Il (Laura). Grandchildren: Toni Skaggs, Andrew Skaggs, Sydney Skaggs, Lesli Diana Hilbird, Alex Shadoan (Justin), Becky Hilbird. Great-Grandchildren: Vorian Stringer and Remi K-Lee Shadoan. His sister Karen (Bill) Benson and numerous step grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents a brother Gerald Hilbird, and a sister Sharon Burgess.
Services will be held at Unity Christian Fellowship, 1523 Erwin St., Douglas on Saturday, August 19th at 2:00 pm. Followed by graveside services with Military Honors and Masonic Last Rights. This all will be followed by a luncheon at the Masonic Lodge, 138 N. 4th St., Douglas.
A Naval Burial at Sea to be arranged at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper. To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born on a farm in North Bend, NE, on July 3,1938 to Edward R. & Pauline E. (Ehrich) Hilbird. In the early 1940's the family moved to Wyoming. Jim graduated from Rock River High School in 1957. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958 where he became a SEABEE and received his electrician education. Jim was released from active duty in 1962 and honorably discharged from the reserves in February of 1964. Jim was awarded a Medal of Valor for the Cold War for the Earthquake disaster during the hours of darkness in Morocco on March I & 2, 1960. James met the love of his life and best friend in August 1964, and soon married Leslie C. (Burns) Hilbird on December 26, 1964. Born to this union were 3 children.
He worked for Mountain Bell power line until 1971, when he started his mining career as a certified electrician with Energy Development underground mine, then to strip mines Arch Coal of Wyoming until 1985. In October 1985 Jim moved to Douglas and worked at Antelope Coal until his retirement in 2004. Jim then spent his retirement driving school bus until 2014. He enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, sports, traveling, and reading books. Jim also enjoyed league bowling and going to national tournaments with family and friends. Jim found pride in attending rodeos in Casper and Douglas, and attending and supporting his family that ran in the demolition derby's. He belonged to many organizations including but not limited to the Masonic Lodge from 1962 till his death where he made many friends and memories. Jim never met a stranger.
James is survived by his wife of 58 years Leslie Cleo (Burns) Hilbird. Children: Robin Hilbird-Bardgett (Joseph), Rhonda Jones (Michael), James Kenneth Hilbird Il (Laura). Grandchildren: Toni Skaggs, Andrew Skaggs, Sydney Skaggs, Lesli Diana Hilbird, Alex Shadoan (Justin), Becky Hilbird. Great-Grandchildren: Vorian Stringer and Remi K-Lee Shadoan. His sister Karen (Bill) Benson and numerous step grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents a brother Gerald Hilbird, and a sister Sharon Burgess.
Services will be held at Unity Christian Fellowship, 1523 Erwin St., Douglas on Saturday, August 19th at 2:00 pm. Followed by graveside services with Military Honors and Masonic Last Rights. This all will be followed by a luncheon at the Masonic Lodge, 138 N. 4th St., Douglas.
A Naval Burial at Sea to be arranged at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper. To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Kenneth Hilbird, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Starts at 2:00 pm (Mountain time)
Guestbook
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