Edward H. Hildebrand of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2014, at the University of Virginia Medical Center while being comforted by his wife and son. Ed was born September 18, 1922, at Mechums River, Virginia, to Hunter H. and Ramona C. Hildebrand. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Harner, Lawrence, and Dabney; his son, Keith; his sisters-in-law, Joyce Breeden, Dorothy Breeden, and Anna Lee Hildebrand; his brothers-in-law, Bobby Breeden and James Lilley; his wife's parents, Carl and Anna Breeden, whom he dearly loved; and Moses, his first granddog. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joanne B. Hildebrand; his son, Kevin L. Hildebrand of Washington, D.C.; his daughter-in-law, Dianne P. Hildebrand of Wilmington, North Carolina; grandchildren, Joshua, Ethan, Hannah, and Sarah, all of Wilmington, North Carolina; and granddogs, Madeline and Happy. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Florence Lilley of Bel Air, Maryland; his sitter-in-law, Frances Wassum of Aberdeen, Maryland; brother-in-law, Arnold Breeden of Staunton, Virginia; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed lived a life of service. He was devoted to his parents, family and friends. He proudly served his country in World War II in the Army Air Corp as a Radar Crewman on Iowa Jima for which he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct and Victory Medals. Ed was an active member of the First United Methodist Church serving as an Usher for many years. He was also a 67 year member of Elks Lodge 389, a 64 year member of the Masonic Widow's Sons' Lodge No. 60, and a member of the American Legion. Ed retired from Centel Telephone Company in 1982, after a 37 year career and actively participated in their volunteer program after retirement. The family would like to thank Rodney Southall and Michael Keys for their continued friendship and countless kind acts over many years, and the doctors and staff of both the Martha Jefferson Hospital and the University of Virginia Medical Center for Ed's care over the past year.

The Daily Progress - June 15, 2014