EMERY EUGENE
HILGER, Age 91,
Died, Saturday,
November 21, 2009, at
Highland House in
Grants Pass, Oregon,
where he had been
undergoing physical
therapy.
Gene was born in
Wellston, OK, on
December 13, 1917 to
Claud Clarence Hilger
and Ethel Eugenie
Feeback Hilger, both
deceased. He would
have been 92 in only 21
days.
Gene grew up farming
and ranching with
his family across the
southern states, and at
16 moved to Montana
to work with his oldest
brother, Glen Hilger in
ranching and logging.
He also worked for the
railroad for a short period
of time in Idaho.
Just prior to Pearl
Harbor, Gene joined the
Navy. He was trained
in southern California,
and spent some time in
Hawaii. A good period
of time was spent stationed
at the island of
Tulagi, in the Solomon
Islands near to
Guadalcanal. He was
an observer of that historical
battle in August
of 1942. At the end of
WWII his ship, the
Argonne was stationed
at Japan to be part of
the occupational forces.
He was able to witness
the signing of the surrender
aboard the
Missouri from his position
on the Argonne.
Gene was married to
Nerma Adeline Bush on
February 12, 1948.
They resided in several
places in Oregon and
California, but longest
at Rogue River,
Oregon.
Gene was an
employee of the City of
Rogue River in the
Public Works department
for 23 years, and
did receive a special
award from the city for
his loyal and devoted
service.
He also enjoyed
many outings and trips
on his various motorcycles,
some taken with
friends, some with his
brother, Chat and their
wives. After retiring
Gene became a master
weaver of Navajo style
rugs and blankets. He
was described by many
as a true artist.
Gene was preceded
in death by his devoted
wife, Nerma Adeline
Bush Hilger, both his
parents, his brothers
Glen 'Tex' Hilger and
Orin Hilger, and by his
sisters Edrie Hilger
Thompson and Mildred
Hilger Zahrt. His only
surviving sibling is
Claude C 'Chat' Hilger
of Crescent City,
California and Chat's
wife Carolyn Gelvin
Hilger. He had two step
children, one of which,
Sharon Little, of Grants
Pass survives. The rest
of his family, many generations
of us, and his
many friends will miss
him dearly.