Harold Wesley Hilton, 62
Harold Wesley Hilton, 62, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Dec. 1, 2018, at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Sagle, Idaho, under hospice care, and surrounded by his family.
Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho, at 1 p.m. In typical Harold fashion, a life celebration potluck and time of friendship and sharing will follow at 1568 E. Dufort Road in Sagle at his son’s home.
Harold was born September 7, 1956 in McMinnville, Oregon to Forrest and Naomi Hilton. He and his two older siblings grew up in Sandy, Ore. After earning his GED, he went to work in the family glass shop, learning the trade and becoming a glazier. Harold married Debbie Irwin in 1974 and they had three children together. The family moved to central Oregon in 1982, and then to Sandpoint in 1984.
In Sandpoint, Harold began working for, and later owning, Hanson’s Glass & Door for 30 years. His gift of craftsmanship was known to many, as his glasswork transitioned into custom wood working, windows, and doors. In addition to his wood working skills, he was a self-taught machinist. His son, Aich Hilton, followed in the family business and they worked together for more than 20 years.
Harold enjoyed the beautiful North Idaho wilderness, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing with family and friends. Some of his kids’ fondest memories with their beloved father are camping at Upper Priest Lake, trips to the Big Cedars in Montana, and boating on Lake Pend Oreille. For a time, he was a councilman on the Clark Fork City Council and was an activist for issues dear to his heart. During his more than 35 years of living here, Harold made countless friends and was known by all to be a kind and compassionate soul who will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by a few relatives but most notably his Uncle Frank Hilton. He is survived by his parents, Forrest and Naomi Hilton of Clinton, Mo.; two siblings, Joyce (William) Hilton of Spokane, Wash., and Norman (Toni) Hilton of Seattle, Wash.; two sons, Jake (Barbara) Hilton of Sagle, and Aich (Rebecca) Hilton of Sandpoint; a daughter, Jean (Tom) Hilton of Emmett, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Justin (Megan), Mariah, Alyssa, Dominic, Adrianna, Emma, and Carter; and long-time companion and life partner, Ingri Cassel of Spirit Lake; her daughter, Christie; and her granddaughter, Kendra.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bonner General Hospice at bonnergeneral.org/hospice-donation/.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements, Please visit Harold’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guestbook.