Charley Wesley Hylton

Charley Wesley Hylton, age 101 and World War II Veteran, departed this life in West Columbia, SC on January 23, 2023.  Born in Swordscreek, Virginia on January 9, 1922, he was the second of sixteen children born to Patton Cleveland Hylton and Laura Elizabeth Jewell Hylton.

He enlisted in the Army when he was 18 and served in the 12th Infantry in Washington, DC with Special Services at Arlington Cemetery. Later he was assigned to the 8th Division at Camp Jackson, now known as Fort Jackson. He was assigned to the 77th Division and he volunteered for paratroop training. After qualifying as a paratrooper, at Fort Benning, GA, he was sent overseas as a replacement in the 503rd to Brisbane, Australia to join the unit there aboard The Monticello, a converted Italian liner. It took 31 days to arrive in Brisbane and there were in excess of 4,500 personnel on board. He was in “E” Company. He jumped on Corregidor on February 16, 1945 and was involved in missions on Noemfoor, Mindoro and Negros as a Scout for his Platoon.

After returning home and being discharged, he worked maintenance in the cotton mill. He started his own business, Hylton Plumbing Company, doing plumbing and electrical work. He retired from that business at the age of 64.

He was predeceased by his wife, Willye Grey Meetze Hylton; parents; brothers, William Mack, Roby Alden, John Patton, Frazier Blane, Albert Chester and Harold Lloyd Hylton; sisters, Pauline Harrop, Juanita Marie Hylton, Janie Kathryn Sisk, Lucy Lynn Farmer and Faye Hylton Abernathy .

Charley is survived by his wife of 20 years, Edith Schumpert Gable Hylton; brothers, Larry Rondeau Hylton and James Ferdinand Hylton; sisters, Peggy Louise Dixon and Cleo Evelyn Moreland; son, Charley (Chuck) Hylton, Jr. (Linda); and daughter, Paula Hylton James (Frank); stepsons, Richard “Rick” (Frances) Gable and Gregory “Greg” (Becky) Gable; grandchildren, Brittany Reames, Brandon Hylton (Ashley) and Matthew Koon (Ryan), Lance James; step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Gable, Caroline Donaldson, Hannah Lindsay, and Gregory Gable; great-grandchildren, Anna, Maggie and Libby Reames, Ella, Bailey and Charley Hylton, Cassidy, Conor and Hylton Koon; and step- great-grandchildren, Everleigh Lindsay and Macy Godfrey. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Charley’s family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Amedisys Hospice for the loving care they provided during his final days at home.

Visitation and a Memorial Service will be held at St. David Lutheran Church in West Columbia, SC on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm followed by the Memorial Service at 2:00 pm.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: St David Young at Heart, Lexington Lodge No. 152, VFW Post 8738 and Auxiliary to VFW Post 8738.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charley’s memory to St. Jude at https://www.stjude.org/

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