Mr. Harold Claude Hylton, age 83 of Stuart, finished his hardworking life and laid down his welding helmet on Saturday, May 27, 2023. He was born in Patrick County on December 27, 1939, to the late Claude Edward Hylton and Era Bowling Hylton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Drake, and a nephew, Matthew Hylton.
After graduating from Auto & Diesel College in Tennessee, Mr. Hylton worked for many years at Stuart Lumber Company before starting a logging company with his brother. He also was the owner/operator of B & H General Repair & Welding. He served honorably in the United States Army and loved working on any type of machinery and camping with his family.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 58 years, Barbara Woods Hylton of the home; one daughter, Lisa Hylton and one son, Dale “Stretch” Hylton of Stuart; two granddaughters, Kristina Blake Akkerman (Daren) of Leesburg, Florida and Kimberly Coalson of Stuart; two great-granddaughters, Payton Purdy and Maddie Dellenback; two step-great-granddaughters, Harper Akkerman and Kendall Carroll; one brother, Ralph Hylton of Floyd; one sister, Christine Morrison (Randolph) of Christiansburg, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no formal service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, of which he was a founding member, P.O. Box 183, Woolwine, Virginia 24185 or to the Smith River Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, Virginia 24185. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is handling the arrangements, and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
