Lawrence Floyd Hilton

Lawrence Floyd Hilton, peacefully passed away on November 18, 2025, in Byron Center, Michigan, at the age of 89. Larry was born on September 20, 1936, in Lowell Township, Michigan, and enjoyed a long life as a hard working family man.

Larry grew up in West Michigan, but as a young man he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he honorably served for eight years stationed across the US as well as abroad. After leaving the military, he found himself in the Portland, Maine area where he met and married his wife, Carolyn, and started his family, welcoming their daughters Stacey and Melissa. Surrounded by many special friends and Carolyn’s close knit family, they spent many years in Maine before moving back to Michigan, and expanding their family with the addition of daughter number three, Amy.

Larry’s work life spanned a number of careers. He owned service stations in both Maine and Michigan, worked in farming and construction, and later took on management roles at Kelvinator and then Keebler, where he eventually retired. Even after retirement, he never slowed down. Larry spent many years doing maintenance for Rose Garden Senior Community, working as a handyman, installing water heaters for Leatherman Hardware, and helping other senior citizens with various odd jobs such as mowing lawns, painting, or fixing whatever needed fixing. He was truly a jack of all trades, and would do anything to make sure his family had everything they needed or wanted. Ultimately, being a grandpa was perhaps his favorite job. Whether rocking them for hours as babies, or showing up for every game, event or performance, he never missed an opportunity to spend time with the grandkids.

Larry was not one for many words, but his dry sense of humor and quick wit always brought a smile to the faces of those around him. He loved working with his hands, whether building toys or furniture for his girls or grandkids, maintaining his yard, or tackling a DIY project. In fact, his garage was a second home to him where he would putz around for hours on end. He also loved animals, and they loved him; he was a real life Doctor Dolittle.

Larry leaves behind a loving family, including his daughters Stacey Hilton, Melissa (Ed) Schneider, and Amy (Joseph) Cortez. He was the cherished grandfather of Gabriel, Elijah, Kendall, and Grady, and great-grandfather of Ezra. He is also survived by his sisters, LuAnne Thompson and Deb Buitendyk.

He joins in eternal rest with his cherished wife of 65 years, Carolyn Hilton, and special granddaughter Mckenna Hilton. Also preceding him in death are his mother and step-father Avis and Bill Dainton, father and step-mother Ezra and Katherine Hilton, and siblings Patsy O'Grady and Gerald Hilton. A celebration of life for Larry and Carolyn will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Larry’s memory through donations to 

Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan or Meals on Wheels of Western Michigan.