Final Salute

Walter G. Hilsabeck Obituary

Walter Gene Hilsabeck, 86, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 at 2 a.m. His devoted daughter Phaley was by his side.

He is survived by his daughter Phaley, his grandchildren Veronica DeOrnellas and Brian Hilsabeck, his son-in-law Tom DeOrnellas (Amy) and his daughter-in-law Cindy Hilsabeck. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Rosemary (Pilkington), his son Ernest Hilsabeck (62), his daughter Frances Hilsabeck DeOrnellas (36) and his sister Betty Jane Dreas.

He was born in Chicago and raised in Fort Madison, IA. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy in 1949 and proudly served until his retirement in 1969. His last duty station was at the Navy Nuclear Power Unit at Fort Belvoir, VA, where he was assigned several tours of duty at the Navy Nuclear Power Unit PM3A in McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

After retiring from the Navy, he joined the Department of Defense and worked at the Washington Navy Yards as a program manager of the railway program. Here is where he developed his love of trains and all things locomotive. After his second retirement, he and Rosemary moved back to their hometown of Fort Madison, IA where they lived and enjoyed the quieter country life for many years. After the death of their daughter, they moved back to Virginia to be closer to their granddaughter Veronica.

Walter Gene had a lifelong love of many genres of music, especially turn of the century, ragtime, folk, and country music. He was often heard playing his guitar and loudly singing his favorite melodies.

He also loved studying American History and became quite the fact checker of news stories, newspaper, magazine, and journal articles and always made sure to send corrections to the respective authors and editors.

Although he was a homebody and didn’t travel much after his retirement, he never missed his annual trip back to his beloved hometown of Fort Madison and traveling to meet up with his friends and colleagues of the Navy Nuclear Power Unit PM3A who met for regular reunions across the country.

He was a strong, quiet, passionate man who loved his family and country. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Visitation will be at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032 on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at 12 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 1p.m. He will join his beloved wife Rosemary at Arlington National cemetery at a later date.