Bobby Hildebran Sr.

Bobby Hildebran MORGANTON Mr. Bobby Richard Hildebran, Sr., 82, of Hildebran, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Valdese General Hospital, following a period of declining health. Bobby was born on Sept. 9, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Virgil Ernest Hildebran, Sr. and Agnes Hallman Hildebran. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Hildebran, where he served as deacon and on the finance committee. He was owner and operator of Bobby Hilde-bran Accounting and was a member of the North Carolina Society of Accountants. At the age of 17 he convinced his mother to sign for him to enter the military service during World War II. He followed through with distinguished military service in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was called up again during the Korean War to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Service to his community included membership on the Valdese General Hospital Board of Trustees; 20 years on the Hildebran Town Council, and president of the PTA for Hildebran schools. Bobby learned civic responsibility from his father and he voted at every election. In later years, he would pick up his good friend, the late Robert Carpenter, and they would go vote together. He valued honesty, hard work, kindness, selflessness and generosity; when he gave his word he certainly meant to keep it. He was dependable and could be called upon for help no matter what. As an accountant for decades, he once said, "I've been lucky that I loved to do what I was good at doing." Many clients trusted no one but him to oversee their personal and professional finances, and he was willing to barter in lieu of monetary payment. After his retirement, Bobby became a delivery person for USA Today and took that responsibility just as seriously, waking up in the middle of the night to begin his duties. He befriended many people on his stops and one of them always had a cup of coffee waiting for him. His professional service to Hickory Motor Speedway allowed him to know many of the drivers. While he was stationed in Shreveport, La., he got to know the late Hank Williams before he became famous, and Bobby could talk at length about his early songs, including the ones with gospel themes. He was dedicated to his wife, Gilda, of 60 years, throughout their marriage; during their last several months residing at College Pines, he was happiest when they could spend time together, talking and holding hands. He loved beyond words his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bobby enjoyed spending time with them and watching them in athletic events. He was proud of every accomplishment, academic, athletic or personal. Bobby had a quiet and sometimes unexpected sense of humor but he "gave it away" with a slight smile and a wink. He loved the Indianapolis Colts, having become a fan when they were first in Baltimore, and he loved the Atlanta Braves, as well. He said he preferred to listen to the games and races on the radio because he got more details. He was a storyteller with a wealth of information about the local history of Hildebran, Valdese General Hospital and the development of Interstate 40. Bobby liked stopping by Happy Day Grocery in the evening to talk with friends and enjoy a cup of coffee. His quiet influence will be sorely missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Gaynelle Hildebran, and one brother, Virgil Ernest Hildebran, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Gilda Grey Cline Hildebran; his son, Bobby Richard Hildebran, Jr., and his wife, Debbie, of Connelly Springs; his daughter, Cynthia Hilde-bran Yount and her husband, Brian, of Catawba; his grandchildren, Dawn Hildebran Christian and her husband, Josh, of Mocksville; David Richard Hildebran, of Connelly Springs; Kimberly Nicole Yount, of Catawba, and Keith Richard Yount of Catawba; two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Kaden Christian of Mocksville; two brothers, Daniel Edward Hildebran and his wife, Dorothy, of Hickory; Gary Preston Hildebran and his wife, Donna, of Hildebran; three sisters, Margaret Hildebran Lowman of Connelly Springs; Nancy Sue Hildebran and Pamela Kay Hildebran, of Hildebran, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 29, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Hilde-bran, with the Revs. Ronald Arndt and Joel Cook officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends today, Thursday, July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to assist the family with funeral expenses, c/o Rick Hildebran, 2631 Rain-tree Street, Connelly Springs, NC 28612. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www. heritage funeralservices.com Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Hildebran family.