Leleand C. Hilborn

Leland C. Hilborn, age 80, of Hot Springs died Tuesday, Sept.25, 2007, in a local hospital. Born Dec. 30, 1926, in Saline County (Benton) Ark., to George and Mittie Hilborn, he was the youngest of three sons.

He joined the Navy at the age of 17 during World War II and he was on Okinawa at the war's end. He was stationed in Tsingtao, China for the next nine months before being honorably discharged. He is a life member of the VFW and American Legion.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite and York Rite Masonry, a member of Scimitar Shrine Temple, Bendemeer Grotto, Jesters, United Commercial Travelers and a Methodist.

Hilborn retired in 2003 after 55 years of service in the hotel industry with the Southwest Hotels Group and was recognized for his contributions to the Industry and civic activities. His numerous awards included the Garland County Hospitality Association Presidents Award, the Arkansas Lodging Association Hall of Fame Golden Key Award, the Sales and Marketing Executives International Distinguished Sales Award, and the Hot Springs Diamond Award. He was recognized and commended for his service to the hotel industry by Arkansas General Assembly Resolution in 2003 and was named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. He was a past President of the Little Rock Junior Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Hotel- Motel Greeters International, Arkansas Lodging Association, and Arkansas Inn Keepers Association, and Chairman of Ten Outstanding Young Men Congress

He is survived by his beloved Gloria, one daughter and son-inlaw, Donna and Bill Baber, two grandchildren, Katherine and William Baber, all of St. Louis, Mo., and Gloria's children, Toni Aulgur of Hot Springs and Glenn Helton and Don Helton of the San Francisco Bay Area.

He was cremated and a memorial service was held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at Caruth Hale Funeral Home in Hot Springs.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Kidney Foundation.