William Clifford Patrick Hilbert

William Clifford Patrick Hilbert "Bill", 83, went to be with his beloved savior, wife and children on February 28, 2015. He was born on June 27, 1931 in Dover, New Jersey and was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy Burroughs Sterling Hilbert; parents Clifford and Alice Hilbert of Rockaway, New Jersey; son, William Francis Hilbert, Las Vegas, New Mexico; daughter, Linda Marie Hilbert of El Paso; grand daughter Carrie Ann Hilbert of Rockaway, New Jersey and brother-in-law William J. Egan of Stillwater, New Jersey. He is survived by his daughters, Debra Hilbert of El Paso, Dianne Jones and husband Thomas of Stillwater, New Jersey; sister Leah Marie Egan, also of Stillwater, New Jersey; daughter-in-law Lavina Hilbert; grand daughters Angela Hilbert and Amanda Jones ; great grandson William Hilbert of Hastings, Michigan; Nephew William J. Egan IV, wife Marie; four grand nephews and two grand nieces of Framingham, Massachusetts and numerous Beckman cousins in Idaho. Bill worked for many years at White Sands Missile Range as a Research Physicist and Project Leader. His work included makiing our missiles less subject to enemy counter measures, reporting to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Brittish Ministry of defense on the results of his work, which was an important step in ending the cold war with the Soviet Union. Bill attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and high school in Dover, New Jersey. After serving in the Army as a Sargeant and Guided Missile Specialist, he attended the University of Texas at El paso (then TWC) graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics. While attending college, he worked at several El Paso radio and TV stations. He was chief engineer at KEPO, later KHEY. He was a member of the El Paso Genealogical Society and the Southwestern Computer Club. Bill was an amateur radio operator (Ham Radio) having obtained his lisence at age 16 while in high school. He was instrumental in forming the Dover High School Amateur Radio Club and served as president. Many high school students became radio amateurs while a member of that club. Bill's hobbies included many computer projects, amateur radio operating, reading, fishing, boating, water-skiing, camping in his camper, Indian artifact hunting and home, automoile, radio and TV repairs. Tracing his family history for over 25 years was his favorite pastime. He was able to trace his family back to 1620 in Devonshire England and to 1750 in Ireland. Bill will be greatly missed by his many friend and family. Visitation will be 4:00-9:00 pm with a Vigil/Rosary at 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Sunset Funeral Home-East. Funeral Mass starts at 12:30 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at St. Raphael's Church, 2301 Zanzibar. Interment to follow at 2 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East. Please visit our online registry at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net