Stephen Wayne Hilton

Steve was born in Lebanon on Feb. 21, 1949, the oldest child of Doyle and Jean Hilton. The family of six moved to Springfield when he was in junior high school. Overcoming a childhood stammer, Steve became a champion debater at Parkview High School, where he earned Hall of Fame in 1967 at graduation. That year he qualified for nationals in extemporaneous speaking. Steve graduated from Southwest Missouri State (now MSU) with a B.A. in history.

During college, Steve became a reporter for Springfield Newspapers, where his father was editor of The Daily News. Over more than 10 years, Steve covered many trials, several sessions of the Missouri General Assembly, even explosions and murders. He achieved promotion to chief editorial writer.

While at the newspaper, Steve married a colleague, Katie Dark, in 1975. They were to celebrate their 50th anniversary this July.

In 1978, U.S. Senator John Danforth hired Steve to manage his office in Springfield. Shortly, Steve moved his young family to Washington as Danforth’s news secretary, a post he held until Danforth retired. Because the Senator was Clarence Thomas’ sponsor when President George H.W. Bush nominated him to the Supreme Court, Steve plunged into the most extraordinary experience of his career. He was honored to be part of history and took immense pride in Justice Thomas’ service to the nation and the law.

Steve and family returned to Lebanon in 1994, where he became editor of the Lebanon Daily Record, a job his father held earlier. Then, Danforth’s successor, John Ashcroft, asked Steve to serve as news secretary and manage his Springfield office. Steve returned to Senate employment and retired in 2001.

Self-employed as a political consultant, Steve helped many Missouri Republicans, including Matt Blunt, Vicky Hartzler, Roy Blunt and even some national campaigns. Steve was blessed to have a career he loved, and he made a difference in Washington and Missouri. He met and counted as friends many prominent journalists and politicians during his career and traveled to places like Romania and South Korea.

Steve loved his country; above all, Steve valued his relationship to Jesus Christ and his family.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Johanna Dimock; and his brother, Dwight.

Surviving are his wife, Katie; son John (Christie) of Martinsburg, WV; son Timothy (Brie) of Kansas City; sister Nora Springston (David) of Republic; and five grandchildren – Henry, Thomas, Lucy, Charles and Patrick. Steve also had two daughters, Melissa and Meredith, from an early marriage. Steve is survived by countless other relatives, friends and colleagues.

Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, April 22, at 11 a.m. at Linden Baptist Church, 611 NE 69th Street, in Gladstone, preceded by 10:30 a.m. visitation at the church. Private interment will follow.

Memorial contributions are suggested for the church or for The Cross Christian School, PO Box 685, Lebanon MO 65536.