Norman Grant Hilt

In Loving Memory Of Norman Grant Hilt Norman Grant Hilt, 75 of Independence, Missouri passes away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born June 19, 1948. Norman was raised his entire life in a small-town Oak Grove, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his Father, Alfred G. Hilt Jr., and Mother, Alice Mae (Leighter) Hilt aka Sparky. He also precedes in death by sister Jo Ellen Woodsen. He leaves behind his surviving siblings, a loving younger sister Kathleen Wiggins, and youngest brother Lawerence G. Hilt. His only daughter, Shelly G. Lawson (Hilt), his two sons, David G. Hilt, and Jonathan G. Hilt, three grandsons Cody Lawson, Seth Lawson, and Ryder Hilt, and one great granddaughter Juliet Lawson. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Norman was a high school graduate from Oak Grove High School. Norman then joined the Navy-USNR, Dec 14, 1966. Where he served 2 terms of service. His title was Engine mechanics, as an Engineman. One of those terms he served overseas. He got two Decoration Metals during that time. National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. When he completed his service, he married in 1974, to Jackie, and then followed by three children later. During his marriage he worked for the union as an ironworker. He developed the thrill of heights. He was known to be squirrely enough to run and leap from one beam to the other that was estimated to be 300 to 400 ft high. He says he just loves to see his fellow friends’ reactions of terror on their faces, as he did it. Years later, he ended with a shoulder injury, from forcing falling steal ball to another direction preventing it from killing his coworkers that were on ground floor. 

He sadly left that career then leaped into a community college where he completed an Associate Degree in Science, then completed his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Mechanics, while holding an impressive 4.0 GPA through it all. Norman had a passion for baseball, he was a pitcher till his 30’s, he was known for his famous knuckleball, and fast curveballs, that no batter could ever hit. He loved everything about science and history. He enjoyed Pinocle and learned how to find ways to cheat at it. He was known to read, and write Hieroglyphs, and had a photographic memory. He dove straight into Genealogy and was able to trace his family tree all the way back to 1800’s, during that period of his life, he also learned how-to restoration and enhancement of old photos, even learned to develop them in a darkroom he created in his basement. Norman was able to do just about anything he set his mind to, except only one thing. one thing he wanted more than anything… he couldn’t grow one single grey hair.

Services will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, June 28,2024 @1 p.m., where his father Alfrred G. Hilt Jr also was laid to rest.