Obituary: Glenn Hilburn

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Glenn HilburnGlenn Hilburn, 86, retired chair of the Baylor University religion department, died June 7. Hilburn taught at Baylor more than 40 years and led the religion department 15 years. He had “profound influence on the lives of many Baylor students and faculty members as teacher and colleague,” said Bill Bellinger, current religion department chair. “He loved to tell a good story and remained connected to faculty members and to former students as long as his health allowed.” Jeter Basden, professor of religion, added: “Glenn was an outstanding church historian and a caring department chair. He knew how to make friends with all kinds of people. He worked hard to build bridges of trust and respect. I am especially grateful for his constant support and encouragement in helping us build and grow a ministry guidance program to educate Baylor undergraduates called to vocational Christian ministry. He will be remembered as a gifted teacher, a detailed and careful historian, and a Christian gentleman.” A native of Plain Dealing, La., Hilburn was a graduate of Centenary College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Ph.D. Before joining the Baylor faculty in 1961, he was a research and analytical chemist and pastor of churches in Arkansas and Texas. Omicron Delta Kappa, the oldest U.S. national leadership honor society, presented him its highest honor, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award. He received the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award from Baylor in 2003. As a church historian, he was published widely. He and his late wife, Martell Hilburn, were active members of First Baptist Church in Waco. He is survived by son Kelly Hilburn and his wife, Sherrie, and stepson Sheridenn White of Waco; son Jeff Hilburn and his wife, Nancy, of Montgomery, Alabama; grandsons Dylan Hilburn and Sean Hilburn, both of Waco; granddaughter Haley Anderson and her husband, Jessie, of China Spring; granddaughter Taylor Hilburn of Dallas; and great-granddaughter Zoey Hilburn of Waco. Visitation will be June 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., at OakCrest Funeral Home in Waco, and his memorial service will be June 14, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Waco. Memorials may be made to Baylor’s Glenn O. and Martell B. Hilburn Endowed Graduate Research Scholarship Fund by clicking here


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