Joseph J. Hilton, 87, of Bethlehem, died on Feb. 26, 2022. Born in Patterson, New Jersey, he was a son of Mathilda (Pfister) and Charles F. Hilton. He was the husband of Ann (Gernat) Hilton for 63 years.

He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BS in physics.

He was in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of the National Guard.

He was a president at Piller Inc., Bethlehem. He was previously a division president at Raytheon Corporation, Waltham, Mass.; and a vice-president of ITT Electron Tube, Easton.

He was on the Hanover Township Planning Commission, Northampton County Judge of Elections and Economic Development for the State of Pennsylvania.

He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, where he was an usher, funeral server, Eucharistic Minister, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Name Society and worked at summer carnivals.

He was a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, Council 313.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Joseph Jr. and wife Carol, Dr. Eileen Epsaro, Judi Kravatz and Thomas; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by an infant son, Christopher John; a son-in-law, Craig Epsaro; and a brother, Charles.

Contributions may be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and/or to Smile Train.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.