Wendell Glenn Hileman, 74, of Kingwood, passed away at home on Monday, July 1, 2024, with loving family by his side, following a courageous four-year battle with stage four lung cancer and severe emphysema.
He was born in Kingwood on Sept. 11, 1949, a son of the late Ellis Ray and Lesta Dale (Messenger) Hileman.
Wendell attended Kingwood High School and served as a boiler technician in the United States Navy. After briefly exploring a few options following his Navy service, Wendell spent the remainder of his working career as a truck driver. In his early truck driving career, he worked for U.S. Plywood in Virginia. He spent over 25 years driving over the road for Chief Transit and W.S. Thomas Transfer, Inc., where he retired in 2011. After retirement, Wendell still loved to talk trucks to anyone expressing interest.
Wendell was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved nothing more than a day spent tinkering at “the cabin.” He took great pride in completing projects there and making the grounds look better than any state park. It broke his heart when he felt it was necessary to sell as his health wouldn’t allow him to maintain things to his high expectations.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 40 years, Lisa Ann (Knotts) Hileman, of Kingwood; one daughter, Wendy Dawn (Micah) Goehler Epstein, of Burke, Virginia; two grandsons, Jove Dean and Lucas Glenn Goehler; three brothers-in-law, Timothy, Todd and Christopher Knotts; three sisters in-law, Jenny Hileman, Molly Knotts and Donna Walters; mother-in-law, Karen Knotts; many nieces and nephews; several treasured friends; his fur babies who both exasperated and comforted him.
In addition to his parents, Wendell was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Donald Hileman; a sister and brother-in-law, Jacqueline (Sue) and Gerald Schnurr; a brother-in-law, Bryan Steele; father-in-law, Mervin Knotts; mother-in-law, Susie Knotts; a stepson, Perry Dacey; a nephew, Joshua Knotts.
Wendell’s family would like to thank WV Caring Hospice for the compassionate care provided to him over the last month and to all the healthcare professionals at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital and Preston Memorial Homecare, who were so kind and caring throughout his illness.
The Kingwood Funeral Home will be carrying out Wendell’s final wishes of cremation with no services. A celebration of life is planned for a later date.
