Verl Hugh Hilton was the sixth child and first son of Hugh Hilton and Chloe Susannah Black Hilton.

He served in the United States Navy Air Corps during World War II and was killed in a training accident.

Millard County Chronicle
3/4/1943

MILITARY FUNERAL SERVICES HELD IN HINCKLEY FOR ENSIGN VERL H. HILTON

Military funeral services for Ensign Verl H. Hilton, 22, who was instantly killed in a navy plane crash at Cecil Field, auxilliary naval air station near Jacksonville, Florida, were conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hinckley LDS
chapel under the direction of Ben H. Robison, Bishop. Burial was in the Hinckley cemetery. The American Legion was in charge of the American Legion military funeral escort portion of the services under the direction of Marvin J. Moody, post commander. Corporal Wharton and fourteen U.S. soldiers from Topaz came in and assisted the Legion with the escort and firing squad.

Speakers were Don A. Bishop and Arthur H. Reeve, scouters; Principal J. Leslie Wright, Rulon T. Hinckley of the stake presidency, and Burns Finlinson of the B.A.C. faculty at Cedar City. The invocation was offered by Marcus Skeem of Oasis and the benediction was given by Daniel E. Bishop. Colors were presented and retired by the color guard. Two selections by the ward choir were rendered "Home Eternal" and "Some Time We'll Understand". The solo "My Buddy" was sung by Ladd R. Cropper accompanied by May Cropper and a duet 'There's a Star
Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" was sung by Mrs. Phyllis Bennett and Mr. Orlando Hepworth accompanied by Mrs. Ruth Talbot. A male quartet consisting of Cluff Talbot, Blaine Spendlove, Orlando Hepworth and Ladd Cropper, sang "Those Pals of Ours". American Legion chaplain, Rulon T. Hinckley presented the flag that covered the casket to Mrs. Hilton at the cemetery. The grave was dedicated by Stake President Harold R. Morris. Three of the pallbearers were Verl's boyhood chums, Marwood Stout, Ronald Reeve and Leon Theobald. Three were his cousins, Ross Hilton, Floyd Bishop and Merlin Hansen. Members of the American Legion were honorary pallbearers. The large crowd at the funeral, the massive floral tributes and the many telegrams and letters received from all parts of the state express in a small measure peoples' feelings. All the speakers expressed sentiments of praise about Verl and his accomplishments. One speaker told how in all his training he never once received a "down". He was always first in his class. Rulon T. Hinckley expressed "That is the highest tribute our government can bestow on any individual - to drape an American flag on their casket". Reeves told of his advancement to an eagle scout. Those of the immediate family who came for the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Lorin C. Green, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Johns, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace McLachlan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hilton, Mr. and Mrs. Ross C. Hilton, Mr. Clement Hilton, Mr. Lyle Hilton and Mrs. Isabel H. Hinton. Others included Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Leigh and daughter, Revenna; Burns L. Finlinson and C. Hatch of the student body at B.A.C. all from Cedar City; Leora and Mrs. Jean H. Stevensen, Maggie and Milton Starley, Faye, Mary and Bobby Black of Fillmore; Mrs. Afton Badger, Mr. Edgar Turner, Mr. Rauldo Turner and Mrs. Iva Stewart of Holden.

Sources of the data are personal family records and findagrave member Karen Shurtz.