Robert Wayne Hilley

Robert Wayne Hilley, 62, of Perkins, went to be with his Savior on December 29, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Services have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Perkins and will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 5, at Eden Chapel United Methodist Church in Perkins.
Robert Hilley was born February 6, 1949, in Hobart, OK to Bobby Lee and Bonnie Jean (Bay) Hilley. While he was young, his family moved to Oklahoma City. Robert graduated from John Marshall High School in 1967. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1971. While at OSU he was a member of the Air Force ROTC program. In 1987 he received his Masters Degree in creative writing from Central State University.
Following his graduation from OSU, Robert served for seven years as an officer in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the Minuteman Missile program at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY. In 1978 Robert married the love of his life, Nancy Gelhaus. Later that year the couple moved to the Perkins, OK area.
Robert worked as a technical writer for the Oklahoma State Department of Vo-Tech. He wrote many curriculum manuals used in Vo-Tech programs throughout the region. In 1988 he went to work for Frontier Engineering in Stillwater as a technical writer. Robert also spent several years as a self-employed free-lance writer before joining Nomadics, Inc., now a part of FLIR. He served as their proposal writer and was honored to be a part of the team effort to develop high-tech detection and security products.
Robert enjoyed spending time at his home in the country, being outdoors and enjoying nature. Traveling and hiking with his family were favorite pastimes and together they visited all 50 states. He was also a very active member of Eden Chapel United Methodist Church.
As a talented writer, Robert loved using his skills to create plays and skits for many church occasions. He also wrote scripts for several school music programs and dinner-theaters for the Perkins community. Additionally, he enjoyed sharing his poetry and stories with friends and family. His unique sense of humor often came out in his writing.
Robert always maintained a great attitude and a positive outlook. His legacy of kindness and generosity will live on through the lives of his family and those who knew him.
Robert is survived by his wife Nancy Hilley, of the home; daughter Josie Hilley of College Station, TX; son Thomas Hilley of Perkins, OK; mother Bonnie Kingsley of Oklahoma City, OK; sister Marsha Danner and her husband, Larry, of Muskogee, OK; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Hilley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eden Chapel United Methodist Church, PO Box 441, Perkins, OK 74059.
Friends may leave condolences for the family via an online guestbook available at
www.pmcfh.com.