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Wiley W. Hilburn, Jr

February 20, 1938 - January 16, 2014
Visitation
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes - Ruston
209 North Bonner
Ruston, LA 71270
318-255-2832 | Map
Saturday 1/18, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service
The Presbyterian Church of Ruston
Sunday 1/19, 2:00 pm
Greenwood Cemetery
515 Everett Street
Ruston, LA 71270
318-251-8621 | Map
Sunday 1/19

Wiley Wilson Hilburn, Jr.Kilpatrick Funeral HomeRuston, LA Wiley Wilson Hilburn Jr. of Choudrant, a journalist and professor, died Jan. 16 in Ruston after a brief illness. Hilburn was born Feb. 20, 1938 in Ruston. He was 75.Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. The funeral is scheduled for 2Continue Reading

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Patricia L Hervey left a message on October 6, 2021:
I believe I’ve read just about everything Bootsie wrote, especially In The Shreveport Times. I even called him one time just to tell him how much I cared about him. I enjoyed reminiscing about the fifties and music.
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James F. Robertson left a message on January 30, 2014:
Greg, belated condolences on your Dad's death. I just learned of it today (1-29-14}. I thought the world of Wiley, and greatly admired him, while we were at LSU ( he had already been a journalist and I was just trying to come out of the North Louisiana oil field and become one. We used to talk a lot of newspapers and politics. I would like to have a discussion with him right now. Thanks to you also for all the words you've written about my Duck Dynasty kinfolks. All the best to you and your family in these hard times. Jim Robertson
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Marc A. Richard left a message on January 27, 2014:
Wiley Hilburn: Father-figure, mentor, friend, funny-man, expert interviewer, passionate writer, and so much more. A man of words whose description is defied by mere words. Kate, Greg, Kevin and Ann Marie - I feel the void Wiley left and pray you will fill it with your own great memories of a great and loving man. Love ya lots.
Shelia Farmer Gatlin left a message on January 25, 2014:
Kevin, Greg, and Anne Marie, I was so saddened to hear the news. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Agnes C. Miller left a message on January 22, 2014:
Wiley earned my admiration and respect and remains on my list of special friends. Agnes C. Miller
Lew Bretz left a message on January 22, 2014:
I was privileged to enjoy Wiley's company on random encounters in Ruston when I'd get back home every few years from far-flung Australia. Thoroughly enjoyed is book of columns, which is a splendid retrospective on our way of life in Ruston in the 19502-60s. Rest in peace, Bootsey. A lot of people will miss you and remember with a glad heart their own encounters with you.
Katie Sanchez and Dianna Kilgore left a message on January 21, 2014:
Sorry for your lost
Gary Miers left a message on January 21, 2014:
My sincere condolences. God bless this family. To my dear friend, Greg, I want you to know how much I appreciated this man, his words, his compassion.
Denise Hillman left a message on January 20, 2014:
I'm so sorry to hear of Wiley's death. I pray for God's comfort in the coming days and weeks. I'm Kent Brooks' sister, Denise. I know Wiley and Kent were very good friends. I will never forget the wonderful stories Wiley wrote about Kent and Mini Mart, especially the one following Kent's death.
Lu Brow left a message on January 20, 2014:
I grew up in Shreveport and just heard of the passing of Mr. Hilburn. I always looked forward to reading his column in the Shreveport Times. At one difficult point in my life he published a column about a dark time in his own life and his writing brought me great comfort. I cut that column out of the paper and to this day I still have the column. The piece of paper made it through Hurricane Katrina because I kept it in a sealed plastic box with other mementos. Rest in peace Wiley Hilburn and thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
Mary Beth Lewy Broussard left a message on January 20, 2014:
Greg, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your sweet father. Mary Beth Lewy Broussard
Mary Beth Lewy Broussard left a message on January 20, 2014:
Greg, I am so sorry about the passing of your sweet father. Thinking of you and your family. Mary Beth
Dan Hester left a message on January 19, 2014:
Wiley was a great motivator and even better teacher. He was a truly honest mentor. He helped me immensely while news editor at the Tech Talk and after while working for The Ruston Daily Leader. Never slow to praise or call me out when needed. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Becky Byrnside McFarland left a message on January 19, 2014:
I was truly heartbroken to hear of Mr. Hilburn's passing as I spent my childhood years visiting his house. I always loved Mr. Hilburn. My father worked with 'Wiley' for years at Tech, thinking of him with great affection. He was seen as kind, compassionate, generous and true in friendship. His humor was legendary. Anne Marie, Kevin and Greg, our hearts go out to you for your tremendous loss.
Byron McCauley left a message on January 18, 2014:
Love to the Hilburn family.
Byron McCauley left a message on January 18, 2014:
One of the greatest human beings who ever lived. Love to the entire Hilburn family.
Vickie Bohannon Owen (journalism, 1983) left a message on January 18, 2014:
Wiley Hilburn was my teacher, my mentor and my inspiration. To have been his student - to have known him - I was one of the lucky ones. My deepest sympathies to the Hilburn family.
Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.
Rebecca and Hudi left a message on January 18, 2014:
We all will sorely miss you Wiley. I know Hudi certainly will. Thank-you for being so kind and helping us when we needed help. My condolences to the entire Hilburn family.
Rebecca left a message on January 18, 2014:
In memory of Wiley W. Hilburn Jr.
Frank May left a message on January 18, 2014:
I've missed you Wiley, and I missed my chance to catch up in person so many times...a heartfelt regret, my mentor, colleague and friend. We will catch up via your writings, my memories and our silent conversations (I ate at Huddle House just this morning). My deepest sympathy to your family and friends. Love, Frank May (and Austin and Katrina S. May)
Dusty Shenofsky Koschny left a message on January 18, 2014:
I'll never forget the first time I sat in Wiley's office. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You're a great writer and you're going to be editor of the Tech Talk." It was this kind of conviction, belief in his students and unabashed honesty that propelled us all to be our very best in college, in our careers and in our lives. He brought out the best in everyone's whose lives he touched. Wiley always told it like it was and you could count on him to be there for you, whatever the need, whatever the time of day. He made this world, and especially my world, a much better place. I was very blessed to have had him in my life, not only as a professor and mentor, but also as a dear friend and father figure. He was incredibly important to me. How shall I miss him? Let me count the ways! Love you WWH! Whip that heavenly newspaper into shape up there with your golden pen! If anyone can do it, you can! My deepest condolences to Kate, Greg, Kevin and Anne Marie. Much love and prayers to y'all.
Tom Boesman left a message on January 18, 2014:
I used to print the Tech Talk in the 80's. A well respected journalists and community supporter. He will be missed.
Jackson Thigpen left a message on January 18, 2014:
So sorry to hear about Wiley ( Bootsie ). The Hilburn family has meant so much to me and our family for so many years - since our days on Marbury Drive in the 1950's. I have so many fond memories of spending hours playing with Chester and Wiley in the Hilburn house as a young boy. One of my treasured pieces of memorabilia is a note that Wiley wrote my dad after the team I coached won a state championship in 1974. He was always thinking about others. He will be missed so much by so many. I will be out of town Saturday and Sunday but my prayers will be with all of you. Jackson Thigpen
Lynn Jones left a message on January 18, 2014:
I never met Wiley, but I have known him for years. I have read his columns and have been blessed by them. I feel like I have had a seat at the Huddle House with him and his friends on many occasions. I always enjoyed his sense of humor, his sensitivity, and his keen sense of observation. I thought I ought not let the occasion of his death pass without telling his family how much appreciate him and all the ways he has blessed my life. May God bless all of you in your time of sorrow.
Datha Hopkins left a message on January 18, 2014:
I am saddened at the loss of the legendary Wiley Hilburn. I met Wiley in the middle of a journalism teaching career. I have overwhelming gratitude for his marvelous gift of making me believe I could write well. I found a kindred spirit with him, often chuckling over a shared klutziness and innate ability to attract ticket violations. He shared his soul with his writing students and imparted a lifelong treasure of confidence to all of us. He leaves a large gap in the world of journalism and casts a long shadow.
Virginia "Ginger" Wright left a message on January 17, 2014:
It was so sad to hear of Wiley's passing. He played a big role in my time at Tech, and beyond. His influence has been felt many times in my life down through the years. I'm sure other Tech Journalism graduates feel the same. RIP, Mr. Hilburn. Louisiana and your students across the nation have suffered a great loss. My most heartfelt condolences to your family.
Morgan Tarpley left a message on January 17, 2014:
Mr. Hilburn was instrumental in instilling in me confidence that I am a writer and furthermore that I am a journalist. I was blessed to have known him and met with him on a weekly basis for the years I was at La Tech in journalism. He was dedicated to journalism and even more so to students. He would tell you like it was and then challenge you to make your choice what you were going to do about it. He found the best in each of us and did his absolute best to pull it out of us. :) I am so glad I was able to tell him how much he meant to me when I saw him at his retirement party. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a very special man and I will never forget him. Morgan TarpleyAward-winning Reporter-Photographer The Jena TimesLa Tech Journalism Grad 2008
Morgan Tarpley left a message on January 17, 2014:
Mr. Hilburn was instrumental in instilling in me confidence that I am a writer and furthermore that I am a journalist. I was blessed to have known him and met with him on a weekly basis for the years I was at La Tech in journalism. He was dedicated to journalism and even more so to students. He would tell you like it was and then challenge you to make your choice what you were going to do about it. He found the best in each of us and did his absolute best to pull it out of us. :) I am so glad I was able to tell him how much he meant to me when I saw him at his retirement party. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a very special man and I will never forget him. Morgan TarpleyAward-winning Reporter-Photographer The Jena TimesLa Tech Journalism Grad 2008
Sallie Rose Hollis left a message on January 17, 2014:
Words fail at this time. As so many, I loved Wiley W. Hilburn dearly and will miss him greatly. I cherish the fact that we shared so much of our lives together. WWH, I know you made Dylan Thomas proud. And all of us as well.
Dan Newman left a message on January 17, 2014:
Wiley was definitely a difference maker. As a Tech freshman I was trying to decide whether or not to change my major from Speech to Journalism. He made the decision for me: "Dan, you speak pretty well but you can't write!" It was his guidance and that of Ron White that impacted me forever. Loved his columns about people! He'll be missed. (already is...)
Dianne H. Lundy left a message on January 17, 2014:
I met Mr. Hilburn just a couple of times, but I heard about him for 38 years via my sister, Sallie Rose Hollis, who knew him first as a student and later as a co-worker and her boss at the Tech news bureau. He treated her like a daughter and she thought the world of him. He touched thousands of lives through his columns and also through his students who went into journalism as a career. His legacy will remain, and he will not be forgotten.
Andy Anderson left a message on January 17, 2014:
I am so sorry to hear of Wiley's passing!!! we were neighbors for a long time and looked forward to our visits!!! He will be missed by many and you are in our thoughts and prayers!!!!!!
Lisa T. Tomkies left a message on January 17, 2014:
Thank you, Mr. Wilburn, for of the life lessons you taught me. I am praying for your family. RIP, Old Man!
Kilpatrick Funeral Homes left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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