The Lord called Kenneth Eugene Hilton home on March 5, 2015. Ken lived in Zephyrhills, FL, since 1997 with his wife, Elaine, of nearly 54 years. He was born on February 17, 1941 in Joplin, MO, and graduated from Monett (MO) High School in 1959. Ken joined the U.S. Navy at age 18. He served in the Vietnam War, was assigned to the USS Vulcan, USS Bainbridge, USS Valdez, USS Ainsworth and several on-shore commands. He graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, RI, in 1988 - Class #31, and retired with the rank of Master Chief in 1993 after serving his country for 33 years.Kens civilian career as an industrial electrician included Ingersoll Rand in Nashua, NH, for 10 years and James Hardie in Plant City, FL, for 5 years before he fully retired in 2002. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed camping outings with the Good Sams Club and Giant Recreation World/RV Gold Club, as well as traveling to visit family and friends. He also loved his precious rescue dog, Emmet, and he was a member of the Zephyrhills YMCA. He kept busy over the years serving on the home owners association board at Grand Horizons, he was a lifetime member of the Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, served as president for the USS Constitution Chapter out of North Reading, MA, was president of the USS Bainbridge Association and served on the reunion committee for the USS Bainbridge. Ken maintained strong connections with many former high school and Navy friends. Above all, he was a patriot and devoted to his familyKen is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter Janet Lee McGuire and her husband Edward of St. Maries, Idaho; daughter Jodi Lynn Gauvin and her husband Michael of Gilmanton Iron Works, NH; and, daughter Jessica Lori Hess and her husband Brian of Peach Bottom, PA; grandchildren include Katie and her husband Jeffrey Blanton; Dakota Powell; Gregory Lines; Abigail Lines; Taggart Hess; Mason Hess; and, Trisha Campbell-Raymond and her husband Chris Raymond; great grandchildren include Allison Hernandez; Dawson Hernandez; Lorelei Blanton; Kenneth Rheaume, Jr.; and, Abigail Raymond; sister Janet Edie and her husband Wendell; brother Robert Ford and his wife Cheryl; and brother Roger Ford; and several nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased in death by his parents, Eugene Hilton and Guy and Thelma (Gregory) Hilton-Ford; his brother Steven Ford; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Madeline (Ingalls) and James Schieffer; and, his grandson Kenneth Daniel Rheaume. A celebration of Kens life will be held at the Hodges Family Funeral Home, Hwy 301, Dade City, FL Monday March 9, at 11:00 am A visitation will take place from 10 am until the funeral hour and Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery- Bushnell, FL.If you wish to honor Kens memory, we encourage your participation and donations to the Wreaths Across America program. Hodges Family Funeral 301 chapel in charge of arrangements