Gary Lee Hilding

Gary Lee Hilding, 56, went home to our Lord on May 20, 2005 in Fairfax, Virginia. Services will be 10 am Thursday, May 26th at First United Methodist Church of Independence; with interment in Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6 to 8 pm at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church of Independence, MO. Gary was born on July 24, 1948, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1966. He earned a Master�s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1984. Gary enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 and was commissioned an officer in June 1970 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was assigned to the 7/17 Air Calvary Unit during the Viet Nam War. As a helicopter pilot, Gary flew assault and medivac missions. He spent three years in Germany, serving as an Airfield Commander and a Field Artillery Unit Commander. In 1975 he was Honorably Discharged, having reached the rank of Captain. Following his military service, Gary worked in the civil service for the next 30 years. He spent 2 years at the Social Security Administration and 28 years at the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. He was called upon and highly respected throughout the United States as an expert in the area of Human Resources. Gary spent the majority of his civil service career in Kansas City, and the last two years in Washington, D.C. at the USDA Headquarters. Gary loved gardening, playing pool and riding his Heritage Springer Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was active in church work at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, Missouri from 1978 until 2003, and most recently attended the Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax, Virginia. He was a member of the Viet Nam Helicopter Association, Ruthless Riders 7/17 Association, Harley Owner�s Group and Air Capital Carnival Glass Association. Gary was the loving husband, devoted father and grandfather. Gary was preceded in death by his father John Hilding; step-father, George Payne. He is survived by his wife, Julie Elder Hilding, daughter and husband, Francie and Ethan Bryant of Rolla, Missouri, and son and wife, Kelly and Kim Hilding of Smithville, Missouri; granddaughters, Ashley and Makayla Hilding and Emma and Georgia Elizabeth Bryant; mother, Betty Payne of Lansing, Kansas, sister, Sharon Drude of Dayton, Ohio and brother, Larry Hilding of Waipahu, Hawaii; five nieces and nephews. Gary will be missed by his family, friends, and co-workers.