HILTON LAY Obituary

LAY HILTON ELLSWORTH LAY, 89, DIED PEACEFULLY May 15, 2011 at the Community Hospice Care Center in Jacksonville, FL after a long battle with Alzheimers. Born in Gainesville, FL Hilton has been a life-long resident of Jacksonville. He was honorably discharged at the end of World War II where he served as a corpsman in the Army Medical Corp in England. He retired in 1989 from the US Postal Service after 41 years of service. He started his career there riding the mail cars on the Ta-Miami Trail for many years before retiring as the Supervisor of Claims & Inquiry. He was a charter member of the Lakewood-San Jose Volunteer Fire Dept., now known as Station 21. When he was an active firefighter, he served as President of the Fraternal Order of Firefighters. He was a charter member of the Lakewood United Methodist Church where he ushered for many years. He was known for his friendly smile and hearty handshake for all who entered the doors of the church. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry Champlain and Myrtle (Brigman) Lay, and his sisters, Lucille Davis, Carolyn Webster, and Patricia Wilkes. He is survived by his precious wife of 64 years, Carolyn (Isaacs) Lay; his daughter, Constance Connie Hicks, Ponte Vedra Beach; sons, Mark and Phillip Lay, Jacksonville; grandchildren, Stephen L. Hicks, Jr. (Jen), winter Springs, Christopher D. Hicks, Kingsport, TN, and Christina and Phillip P.J. Lay, Jr., Jacksonville; 6 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home on Thursday, May 19, 2011. From 6-8 pm Funeral services will be held on 11 am Friday, May 20, 2011 at at Lakewood United Methodist Church 6133 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL . In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in Hiltons memory to one of the following: Lakewood United Methodist Church, Fraternal Order of Firefighters, the Alzheimer's Association or Northeast Florida Hospice. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808. www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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Published by Florida Times-Union on May 18, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for HILTON LAY

14 Entries

Sarah & Royal Minerva

May 22, 2011

God bless you and send our sincere condolences to your family. We will miss you cousin, but you will not be forgotten.

Harry and Kimberly

May 20, 2011

Dear Mrs Lay, Mark, Phil and all of the Family, "Mr Lay" Your Husband, Dad and Forefather was a man who I admired because no matter what, he was always smiling and never had a bad word for anyone. I respect his demeanor and ability to see the good in life and he set a fine example for all of his family to follow. His temperment was the "even keel" that kept the Layship upright on their journey through life. May God bless you all and may "Mr Lay" be SMILING on us all.

May 19, 2011

I have lived in his neighborhood for 20 years and I know that the biggest thing that I will miss and will always remember about Mr. Lay is his smile and wave every time I came into the neighborhood or left the neighborhood. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mark and the rest of the family. Leslie Lewis

christina lay

May 19, 2011

Paw Paw the girls and i will miss you so much...love ya always

May 19, 2011

having just buried my father last friday i understand how you are feeling... there is a thing about daddies and daughters. rest in peace mr. lay

Jennifer Westbrook

May 18, 2011

So sorry for your loss. May the happy memories you have of him comfort you. Love to you and your family Connie.

Donna Nasir

May 18, 2011

My husband and I had the extreme pleasure of working at the Post Office with Hilton. He was always so very kind and polite to all he came in contact with. You must have a wealth of wonderful memories that will help to carry you through the days ahead. With all our sympathy,
John and Donna Nasir

NATHAN RUDIN

May 18, 2011

THE LAY FAMILY..GOT TO KNOW HILTON AND THE LAY FAMILY IN THE EARLY 70'S. A UNIQUE BUNCH FOR SURE. HILTON WOULD ALWAYS WELCOME ME TO HIS HOUSE, NO MATTER THE HOUR OF DAY OR NIGHT, AS DID MRS. LAY. HILTON ALWAYS HAD A STORY ABOUT HIS DAYS AT STA.21, AND TO THIS DAY I BELIEVE A PLECTRON(F.D. SCANNER) IS STILL ON SOMEWHERE IN HEAVEN. HE WAS PROUD TO HAVE HELPED HIS COMMUNITY. THEY DON'T MAKE MEN LIKE HILTON ANYMORE..IF HE COULD DO SOMETHING KIND, HE ALWAYS DID..HE LOVED HIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND HIS FELLOW MAN..REST IN PEACE HILTON..YOU DID YOUR PART, AND YOU DID IT WITH A GOOD HEART, AND A WARM LOVING TOUCH..MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY

Connie Hicks

May 18, 2011

Daddy, I will always love you and will always be proud to be your daughter.

May 18, 2011

RIP Corpsman and thank you for our service.

charles wilkes

May 18, 2011

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

james brown

May 18, 2011

aunt carolyn i am so srry to hear about uncle hilton. my prayers are with you and the family.

Terri

May 18, 2011

Dear Mrs. Lay and Mark, I'm so sorry for your loss. He will be remembered for that great smile and his friendliness. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Terri Harris

Andrew Lau

May 17, 2011

Dear Mrs.Lay,And Mark,I am VERY sorry for the loss of Mr.Lay.He was such a good friend,and honorable man.I remember him fondly.He always had a smile for everyone.And something nice to say.He was very special and unique.There is no one else quite like him.May the Lord bless and comfort you all.He will be sorely missed by me and many others.I thank the Lord for the time we had with him on this earth.And look forward to seeing him again someday.Sincerly,Andrew Lau

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