Charles "Ray" Hilson

Guilderland – Charles “Ray” Hilson, 80, passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, March 26th, 2022. Ray was born in Albany to his parents, the late Charles and Louise Patrick Hilson. When Ray was 14, he met his future wife, Catherine Walsdorf, while summering at their families’ camps on the Hudson River. He graduated from Guilderland High School and went on to work with his father for their construction company, Hilson and Son, for many years and later worked as a mechanic and tractor trailer driver for W & J Transportation. He ended his career working as a laborer for the Town of Guilderland Highway Department, from where he retired. Ray had a deep love for his family, making sure everyone was always well taken care of. He enjoyed spending his time with his wife, children, grandkids and great granddaughter as well as his family pets, whom he adored.Always the hard worker, Ray found solace in the great outdoors. He loved to fish and hunt, and had a special fondness for the Adirondacks where he and Cathy would canoe, camp and fish. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Catherine Walsdorf Hilson; his children, Chuck Hilson (Debbie) and Elizabeth “Beth” Richards; grandchildren, Michael and Stephanie Hilson and Raymond, Adam and April Richards and his great granddaughter, Theresa Catherine Caruso. Calling hours will take place on Thursday, March 31, from 5 to 7p.m. at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216 Western Tpk. in Guilderland. A funeral service will begin at 10 am on Friday at St. Matthew’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1500 Western Ave., Albany. Ray will be laid to rest at Prospect Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s name may be made to the Northeastern Association of the Blind, 301 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Ste. 405, Albany, NY 12205.