Paul Alan Hilbert

Paul Alan Hilbert, 68, of Greenville, SC, passed away on Oct. 26, 2022 after a long battle with heart disease, and more recently the rare condition of amyloidosis.

Alan was born on Valentine's Day 1954 to Bryan Hagan Hilbert and Patsy Owens Hilbert in Kingsport, TN. While in high school, Alan worked as a lifeguard at Warriors Path State Park, ran track, and played football. If he's never told you before (highly unlikely), he would want you all to know that he was a "perfect specimen" of a human being. After graduating from Central High School in 1972, he went on to East Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, and then the Portfolio Center of Atlanta where he cultivated his passion of photography.

It was 1978 when he met and fell in love with Joyce Trent or as he lovingly called her "Jo". They were married in May 1980 and have spent 42 years together weathering all of life's ups and downs. Alan and Jo would go on to have Irish twins, Ian in 1983 and Katy in 1984.

While their children were young, Alan was a stay-at-home dad, taking care of the house, cooking meals, and toting the kids to sports and activities. He was thrilled when Ian and Katy were old enough to get their driver's licenses as they would be taught by the self-proclaimed "world's greatest driver". Though Alan loved being a father, he enjoyed being a Poppy to Mia, his granddaughter, and Wyatt, his grandson, even more.

Over the years, Alan also pursued several photography-related career paths including photojournalism. He loved "capturing the light" just right (no matter how long it took), much to the chagrin of his wife and children or any friend that was just trying to accompany him on a pleasant walk through the woods.

Alan always looked for the beauty in everyday objects, nature, people and to really "see the art". He also taught us to laugh, be silly, and appreciate good music as long as it was The Allman Brother's Band.

Alan was predeceased by his parents, Bryan and Patsy, as well as his mother-in-law, Betty Powers Trent, and his father-in-law, Ray "Sonny" Trent. He is survived by his wife Jo, son Ian, daughter-in-law Brittany, granddaughter Mia, grandson Wyatt, daughter Katy, sister Marsha Elam, brother-in-law Leo Elam, nephew Bryan Elam, nephew Tyler Elam, brother Marty Hilbert, sister-in-law Teresa Hilbert, sister Teresa Hilbert-Martin, nephew Will Martin, cousins David and wife Diane Jennings, cousin Debbie Jennings, the entire Trent clan (there are too many to list), and numerous friends who will miss him dearly.

Alan was a Lutheran by faith and a member of Abiding Peace Lutheran Church.

In leu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Amyloidosis Research Consortium ( https://donate.arci.org/give/172558/#!/donation/checkout ), The National Parks Service ( https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm ), or Abiding Peace Lutheran Church ( https://www.abidingpeacelutheran.org/page/3879/22987/Online-Giving )

There will be a memorial service at Abiding Peace Lutheran Church located 401 Batesville Rd. Simpsonville, SC 29681 on October 29th 2022 at 11:00am. A celebration of life will immediately follow the memorial service with Alan's favorite photos, music, and food (tacos and ice cream, naturally).