Obituary of Harry Bilton

Harry Bilton, Jr., 94, of Greenview Dr., Rome, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at St. Luke’s Home in New Hartford after being a resident for the past three weeks.

He was born on May 3, 1928, in Flatonia, Texas, the son of Harry and Ruby (Hamilton) Bilton, Sr.  Harry was a 1946 graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School where he was a standout track star.  He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Agricultural Science from Prairie View A & M University. It was there that he would meet the love of his life, Martha.

On December 15, 1951, Harry was united in marriage to Martha Simien in Holy Rosary Church in Galveston, Texas.

On April 3, 1951, Harry proudly enlisted in the United States Army serving his country until his honorable discharge on May 31, 1954.

Harry and Martha would relocate to Rome, NY, for his job.  Harry was employed as a jet engine instructor and later a curriculum developer at Griffis Air Force Base for over thirty years, retiring in 1988.

Harry was a member of St. Peter’s Church and a long-time communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church.  He was the former president of the Rome NAACP, a three-time lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis Club, a past president of Frontier’s International, a member of the African American Hertitage Organization, a former board member of Bethany Gardens, and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

He was an avid bowler, golfer, and hunter.  He enjoyed snowmobiling, camping in Canada, and boating.

Surviving besides his loving wife of seventy-one years, Martha; are a daughter, Yvette Renee (Jonas) Bilton-Rogers, of Duluth, GA; two granddaughters, Denesha Evans and Alethea Evans; two great-grandchildren, Demetrius (Clara) Evans, and Jaden McDaniel; three great great-grandchildren, Kamden, Kaleb, and Sianna Evans; and two nephews, Dolphus Derry, of Houston, TX, and Wayne Derry, of Dallas, TX.  He was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy (Dolphus) Derry.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, beginning with a prayer service at 10:30 AM at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Church where the Rev. Bernard Maynard will officiate.  Interment will take place in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at a later date.  Family and friends are invited and may call on Friday, May 5^th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the funeral home, 418 N. George St., Rome.