Billy Joe Hildreth

Billy Joe Hildreth, 82, passed peacefully Saturday November 4, 2017 at his home in Ankeny surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 26, 1935 in Des Moines, IA and lived his entire life on the family century farm in Ankeny residing in the same house built by his grandfather in the 1860’s until 2000 when he and his wife Darlene built a new home behind the old farmhouse which they were very proud of.

Billy Joe graduated from Ankeny High School in 1954. He received a BS from McPherson College in 1958 and a Teacher Certificate from Drake University. He taught Business Education after graduation and drove a school bus for a few years. He was then employed by the United States Postal Service for over 40 years. He took over the family farm in 1976 and retired from farming upon the sale of the farm in 2005. He was involved in several development projects and investments in Polk County. He was a charter member of the Ankeny Golf and Country Club, Ankeny CB club, Iowa Farm Bureau, and served many years as Treasurer for the Polk County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed traveling and playing cards. He was recognized with the State FFA Iowa Farmer degree in 1954 and showed livestock around the state and country.

Billy Joe was very active in the Fraternity of Freemasons, serving as Worshipful Master of Logic Lodge #636 in Ankeny in 1976 and was a dual member of WestGate Adelphic Lodge No. 509 in Windsor Heights. He was a past leader of the Des Moines York Rite Bodies and served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Iowa in 2000 and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Iowa in 2012. He received the Order of the Purple Cross from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in 2008. A member of the Des Moines Scottish Rite he was coroneted with the 33º in 1997. Billy Joe was honored in the Pillars of Charity at the House of the Temple, headquarters of the Supreme Council for the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States in Washington DC in 2006. He was a noble of Za Ga Zig Shrine. He was a member and leader in several other Masonic Organizations and charities.

Billy Joe is survived by his son Bryce (Natalie); two step granddaughters, Tracy (Nick) McClure and Tina Eickelberg: many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Darlene; his parents Glen and Cleo Hildreth; his brothers Ray and Carl and his sister Faye. The family extends special appreciation to his caretaker Bonnie Gray.

Billy Joe will be missed by his family and friends, who will always remember his storytelling, sense of humor, charitable giving, leadership, and dedication.
Visitation will be held Thursday November 9, 2017, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Masonic Service at 7:00PM at the Ankeny Church of the Brethren, 417 SE Grant St, Ankeny, IA. Christian and Knight Templar Funeral Services will be Friday November 10, 2017 at the Ankeny Church of the Brethren at 11:00 AM with a lunch to follow. Interment will be at the Brethren Cemetery in Elkhart, IA.

In lieu of flowers Billy Joe may be honored by memorials to: The Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation or the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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