Thurl "Phil" A. Hiltz

We are saddened to announce the passing of Thurl (Phil) A. Hiltz, 90, of South Windham, CT on Thursday, November 17, 2022. He was born in Livermore Falls, ME, the son of the late Millerd and Mildred (Gray) Hiltz.

He is survived by his children, Brenda Gagnon and her husband Gary, Wayne Hiltz and his wife Mary, daughter-in-law Marie Hiltz, and a close stepdaughter Carli Baton and her partner Steve Holmes. He was blessed with grandchildren Scott Nelson and his wife Serena, Anastasia Aponte and her husband Ricardo, Ashlee Gonzalez, Joe Baton, Alex and Andrew Richards, great grandchildren Rio, Astraea, Leo, Eric Jr., Joshua, Gabriel, and Aleyah, and also nephews Gary Reynolds, Steve Reynolds, Brandon Drysdale, Blaine Drysdale and niece Sharon Dunfield.

Thurl was predeceased by his first wife Barbara (Brisbois) and his second wife Frannie (Duntz) both of whom he had loved very much. He was also predeceased by two brothers Shirrell and Durwood, and his beloved sister Carlene Drysdale, as well as his son John (Jack) Hiltz.

Phil was a hard-working man all his life. He was a mechanic and truck driver. He worked several jobs, including The Thread Mill, Watson Movers, Lydall and Falls, Twin Hills, and others.

Phil loved his family and friends. He had a playful sense of humor and loved to tease all the kids. He enjoyed tractors, cars, trucks, vegetable gardening, taking care of his large lawn and cutting wood. He loved country music and animals.  He collected pocket watches and “putt putt” engines. He made doodlebug trucks, go karts, and a camper bus. He enjoyed vacationing in Maine and owned a cottage on Bear Pond close to where he grew up. Phil opened Video Center Rentals with his wife Barbara. He enjoyed the senior lunches in Chaplin and Lebanon. Phil was a veteran of the Korean War. He attended Lebanon Baptist church.

A special thank you to the many nurses and CNAs who lovingly cared for Phil at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham.

There are no calling hours. His graveside service will be on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11:00 am at New Willimantic Cemetery, Willimantic, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lebanon Baptist church.

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