BENJAMIN GRAHAM HILBURN Sr.

Benjamin Graham Hilburn, Sr., age 81 of Wilmington died Friday, April 4, 2008, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Delco, Columbus County, NC on December 7, 1926, to the late Alvin Arthur Hilburn and Lavada Mae Mills Hilburn. He was preceded in death by brothers, Elwood, Leon, and Clyde Hilburn.
Graham was a member of Pine Valley Baptist Church and a veteran of the US Navy serving during WW II. As a young man he served with the NC Highway Patrol and later went to work as the first employee of Bank of North Carolina where he served as Assistant Vice President and retired from Centura Bank Wrightsville Beach with 26 years of service in the banking industry. He served as a Deacon at Pine Valley Baptist Church for many years, was a member and past president of the Winter Park Optimist Club, and coached Little League baseball for many years.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Faye Robinson Hilburn; three sons, Benjamin Graham Hilburn, Jr., and wife Sandy of Greer, SC, Mark James Hilburn and wife Vickie of Nashville, TN and Robin Arthur Hilburn and wife Ginger of Clayton, NC; grandchildren, Bryan, Laurie, Skyler, James, Jenna, and Jonathan; sister, Edna Croom of Newport News, VA.
Graham will be remembered for his faith, love of family, and eternal optimism. Many will remember his many wonderful and witty sayings with one being 'When it's getting too tough for everybody else it's just right for the Hilburn's' and 'It's not your outlook; but it's your up look that counts.' Graham was very proud of his grandchildren and could always be seen wearing a shirt or a hat representing one of his grandchildren.
There will be a time of visitation for family and friends at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2008, at the Pine Valley Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m at Pine Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Marion Powell officiating assisted by Dr. Ray Frazier. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Aplastic Anemia & Myodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) International Foundation, P.O. Box 613, Annapolis, MD 21404-0613 or their web site, www.aamds.org or donationas@aamds.org , (800) 747-2820 or FAX: (410) 867-0240.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com
A Valley Chapel Service
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