Obituary of Wilbur Grant Hillestad

Funeral services for Wilbur G. Hillestad, age 88 of Grayson will be held 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 from the Columbia chapel of Riser & Son Funeral Home with Bro. Shane Duke and Rev. Rick Crandall officiating. Interment will follow in the Cross Roads Cemetery at Grayson. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the funeral home located at 7131 U S Highway 165 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Wilbur Grant Hillestad was born on November 25, 1928 at Huron, South Dakota to the union of his parents, Anton E. Hillestad and Sally Eula Grant Hillestad and he passed from this life on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Citizens Medical Center in Columbia following an extended illness. Wilbur was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He made his living as a cattleman where he worked his farm from sun-up to sundown all his life. He was the “Range Rider” with the Caldwell Parish Sherriff's Office which he retired from. He also operated a slaughter house for many years for the public. For many years he also planted a green patch where people could come pick greens if they wanted any. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: S.L. Warner, Cecil Hillestad, twin brother- Willard Hillestad and his grandson, Michael Charles Hillestad.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Betty Jo Fluitt Hillestad. From this union came five children: Mike Hillestad (Glenda), Sandra Evans (Ronnie), Keith Hillestad (Florene), Penny Brown (Edwin) and Darla McKee (Mark). They have nine grandchildren: Tonia, Jensen, Donna, Pam, Jason, Cam, Brittney, Hannah and Andrew; eleven great-grandchildren: Kimberly, Kathryn, Devin, Weston, Ava, Lillie Belle, Addie, Ali, Lane, Kayleigh, and Hayden and three great-great-grandchildren: Preston, Jaida and Kaden. He also leaves a brother, Mr. I. A. Hillestad.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Hillestad, Keith Hillestad, Jason Hillestad, Cam Hillestad, Dustin Wyant, Jensen Hillestad and Dustin Sinclair. Honorary pallbearers include Clint Warner, Billy Ray "Lightning" Warner, Tony Weeks, Dennis Wayne Nugent and Keith Varnell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cross Roads Cemetery, St. Jude, or a charity of your choice. 

Online registry/condolences: riserfuneralhomes.com