Steven (Steve) Lee Hilton, age 75, passed away peacefully in his sleep due to natural causes on April 10, 2024, at his home in Bullhead City, AZ .

Steve was  born in of March of 1949 in Emmetsburg, IA to Harry and Seiri Hilton and grew up in Laurens, IA.  Following high school graduation, he played basketball and studied the sciences at Boone Jr. College in Boone, IA.

He joined the U.S, Army in 1970 and served as a laboratory technician for a military hospital in Heidelberg, Germany. Following an honorable discharge in 1973, he stayed in Heidelberg for Bible camp, and graciously devoted his time to volunteering for Mercy Ships International, for whom he continued to volunteer as a consultant after returning to the United States.

Steve was united in marriage to Robin Johnson in 1974.  From this union, his daughter Kelly was born in 1977. Continuing his education, Steve graduated from Northwest Missouri State College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences.

From there, the young couple returned to Robin's home state of California where he spent many years working in Southern California as a lab tech, consultant, and IT administrator. Steve also volunteered at Marineland of the Pacific as a biologist. In 2016, he retired and moved to Bullhead City, AZ.

Steve had a passion for skydiving and piloting private airplanes, as well as golf, bicycling, and collecting wine. He was an avid Iowa Hawks fan and made sure his California friends knew all about his team. A lover of travel, Steve toured other countries along with his friends.  As a committed Christian, Steve spent time in fellowship at church, Bible studies and volunteering for faith-based organizations.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Seiri, brothers, Kenton (Lori) of Kansas, and Douglas of Ames, IA, and a brother-in-law, Marvin Curry.  Steve is survived by his daughter Kelly, grandchildren Jordan and Nicolas, his sister Judy (Marvin) Curry of West Des Moines IA, and brothers Roger of Boone, IA and Michael of Marion, OH.