Wilbur D. Hiatt

A great man, Mr. Wilbur D. Hiatt, of Mount Airy, our Dad, passed away Friday, November 29, 2019, at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy, exactly one week before his 92nd birthday.  Born December 6, 1927, in Surry County, he was preceded in death by his parents, David Lafayette and Ethel Puckett Hiatt; a daughter, Noreen Roush; two sons, Floyd Hiatt and John Hiatt; two sons-in-law, Greg Hiatt and Geoff Gentry; and six brothers, Junior Hiatt, Talmage Hiatt, Rudger Hiatt, David H. Hiatt, Paul Hiatt, and William Hiatt.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ara Jean Avery Hiatt; his children, Dena (Keith) Earhart, Gene (Jane) Hiatt, Stewart (Ann) Hiatt, Alan (Karen) Hiatt, Carolyn Gentry, Jesse (Louise) Hiatt, Jennifer (Ray) Riska, Derrik (Rachel) Hiatt, and Janeen (Michael) Ashcraft; a son-in-law, Bill (Susan) Roush; a daughter-in-law, Cynthia Newbold Hiatt; three sisters, Ethel Atkins, Ann Madsen, and Portia Hansen; a brother, Ephraim Hiatt; and an ever-growing posterity of fifty-seven grandchildren and eighty great-grandchildren.

It is hard to find the words to adequately describe our Dad.  He was devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and lived a humble life following His example.  He believed that to serve others was to serve God, and much of his life was spent helping someone in need.  Those who were blessed to know Wilbur knew him as a man of great faith, integrity, and wisdom, whose love of God showed through his lifelong devotion to serving others.

As a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in many leadership roles, including teacher, Branch President, Bishop, Stake Clerk, High Councilor, and Patriarch.  But he found his greatest rewards in serving “the one.”  He had the ability to see people through the Savior’s eyes, always with love and compassion.  If he ever heard an unkind word spoken about someone, he would respond with something positive about them and a word of counsel to “judge not that ye be not judged.”

Our Dad served in the military in Korea after the Korean War.  He served three full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; as a young man in the Central Atlantic States Mission, and in his later years, with his sweetheart as his companion, in St. Louis, Missouri, and Anaheim, California.

His varied career ranged from taxi driver to 7th grade school teacher, to accountant and office manager.  He worked hard, but his focus was always on his family and God.

He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he met his wife, Ara Jean Avery.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 21, 1951, and together they welcomed twelve children into their home, one child dying in infancy.  He was devoted to his wife and family which were his greatest source of happiness.  He often quoted 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”  His confidence in the reality of a living God and His plan of happiness and salvation have given us a sure foundation.  We have never doubted who we are or where we came from.  Our Dad leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, and devotion to God that will never die.

Enos 1:26-27 reads “…and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ.  And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.  And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest.  And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me:  Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.”

We wish to express our sincere thanks to the management and staff at Surry Community Health and Rehabilitation Center for the excellent service and care they have given to our Dad and to our family.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with Bishop John Bradley officiating.  Burial will follow in the James Monroe Hiatt Memorial Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy.