HILDEBRAND, James W.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, arizona Published Tuesday, September 15, 2009 James “Jim” W. Hildebrand, passed away peacefully in his home Aug. 29, 2009. He was born on Nov. 5, 1933, in Newton, Iowa, to Henry and Olive Hildebrand. After graduating high school, Jim went to work for Maytag Co., attended classes at Drake University and was a member of the Iowa National Guard. In February 1963, Jim and his wife Sharon packed up their 1959 Chevy and moved to the California desert with their 3-month-old daughter to work for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. After many years of living between Julian Hinds Camp and Iron Mountain, they moved to Intake on the lake in 1971, where they lived until he retired in October 1994 as a station chief and moved to Lake Havasu City. Jim had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, bowling, racing go-karts, growing tomatoes in his green house, flying and building big, model airplanes, touring on his Honda Aspencade with his wife, and later, absolutely loving to ride his Harley. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sharon; daughter, Christie Smith and husband Michael, of Ridgecrest, Calif.; granddaughter Brittany, of Ridgecrest; sister, Irene Kingery, of Newton, Iowa; sons, Dennis Hildebrand and wife Lori of Newton, Iowa; Scott Hildebrand and wife Sandy, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and his dog, Muffy. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lucille, Imogene, Louise, Joan and brother, William. Jim had a wonderful life and will be painfully missed by his family. The family is having a private celebration in his memory. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Hope Hospice, 500 N. Lake Havasu Ave., #B106, Lake Havasu City, AZ. 86403 Condolences and thoughts can be made to his family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.