Thomas Christopher Hilston

Tom Hilston was called to eternal life on March 16, 2023, surrounded by his family at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a longstanding illness. Tom was born on September 15, 1966. He was the third of four children born to Charles and Luella Hilston. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to a few other states with his family before settling in Madison, where Tom lived until his death. Tom graduated from Lafollette High School in 1984. He attended MATC, Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and served in the Navy Reserves after high school.
Tom had several finance and business jobs in the Madison area, including University of Wisconsin Athletic, Theater and Dance Departments. His most recent achievement was receiving recognition from Wisconsin Department of Health Services for exceptional and selfless service to the people of Wisconsin in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also a Senior Elections and Voting Official for the City of Madison.
Tom was an expert fisherman. When out on a lake with his friends, if fish were not biting, Tom would catch them, and they were always big ones. Tom was also a passionate fan of Wisconsin's college and professional sport teams. He also enjoyed gardening and volunteering. He was a Board Member of the River Valley Area Community Gardens and volunteered at the Community Food Bank in Spring Green.
Tom is survived by his father, Charles Hilston, Madison; sister, Amylu (Hilston) Thering and husband, Pat, Sun Prairie; brother, Wayne Hilston and wife, Monica, Brookfield, WI; and brother, Steven Hilston and wife, Irene, Spring Green, WI. In addition, he leaves 10 nieces and nephews; 5 grandnieces and grandnephews; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Luella, and grandparents, Ralph and Evelyn Hilston, and Fred and Amelia Cox.
Service information will be announced at a later time. Those who knew Tom are encouraged to make a donation to the organization of their choice.
"Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him."