Joe Wayne Hilton

COLUMBIA - Joe Wayne Hilton, 76, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 21, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, 7600 Woodrow St, Irmo, SC 29063. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Born in Rome, GA on September 16th, 1945, Joe was raised in Cedartown, Georgia. He attended Ident Tech School, Washington, D.C. and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Upon graduation, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC, where he served for a decade. He then spent the next 25 years as a Special Agent at South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, including time spent serving former Governors, Attorney Generals, and other state leaders, until his retirement in 2000.

Joe spent his life serving others, not only in his professional career, but also in his free time. “Masonry teaches that each man has a duty to make life better, not just for himself, but for everyone.” Joe’s life truly embodied this statement. He was a charter member of Jamil Shrine Temple and, as a Mason, was Past Master of Earlewood Lodge #371. Joe was initiated in Jamil Temple's first Shrine Class in 1973 and had the distinct honor of being the first Potentate elected from that class. During his 48 years of service, Joe held numerous positions with the Shriners, an organization dedicated to helping burned and crippled children.

Joe was a devoted reader, novice historian, long-winded storyteller, avid golfer, enthusiastically avoided house chores, and most importantly our beloved Pops, father, and husband.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Josie Hilton; daughter, Shelly Shealy (Todd) and son, Shayne Hilton (Lindsey), both of Chapin; and grandchildren, Kelsey Shealy, Parker Shealy, Kemper Hilton and Wells Hilton.

He was predeceased by his parents, Luther C. and Maggie S. Hilton and brother, Wade C. Hilton.

Memorials can be made to Shriners Hospital For Children, 950 W Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605 or American Heart Association, 190 Knox Abbott Dr #301, Cayce, SC 29033.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com