LOXLEY, Ala. – Funeral services will be held Thursday for Hilliard “Hilo” Middleton, a native and resident of Loxley, a longtime Robertsdale barber and former County Commissioner, who died Sunday.

Middleton, 75, served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and worked as a barber for over 50 years. He worked with longtime barber Billy Faulk at his Robertsdale barber shop from the late 1970s until Faulk’s death in 1994. He then ran the barber shop for a short period after Faulk’s death before moving his practice to his home in the Wilcox community.

“I’ve always thought a lot of Mr. Middleton,” said Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy. “He gave my son one of his first haircuts. I have a lot of pleasant memories associated with the barber shop and deeply regret his passing.”

Middleton was a 32nd degree Mason and member of Robertsdale Masonic Lodge 821.

He was probably best known as one of the more vocal opponents of the county’s mandatory garbage pickup policy adopted in July of 1994.

At least in part, his stance against the policy led to his election to Place 3 on the Baldwin County Commission in 1996. He was convicted in December of 1999 for failure to comply with the county’s mandated garbage pickup laws and ordered in January of 2000 to pay $12,300 in fines.

He would retain his Commission seat, however, losing in a runoff to George Price in the June 2000 Republican primary. Middleton ran again for the Commission seat in 2004, but was not elected.

Commission Chairman Frank Burt called Middleton a “close friend,” whom he met while serving together on the Commission.

“He loved his country and loved this county very dearly and served faithfully during his time on the Commission,” Burt said.

Middleton’s dedication extended to improving the roads and bridges in Baldwin County, Burt said. Middleton served as committee chairman for the Commission of the county’s highway system.

“He was just a fun guy to be around,” Burt said. “He was just one of those people that lifted your spirit every time you were in his presence. My prayers go out to Barbara and all of his family.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Middleton; sister, Annette Middleton; brothers, Elmer Middleton, Wayne Middleton, Shelton Middleton and Ray Gene Middleton.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Middleton of Loxley, four daughters, LaNelle (Dean) York of Summerdale, Sherry (Terry) Ott, Lorna (Earl) Steadham, and Ginger (Stacy) Loftin, all of Loxley, two sons, David Murray (Ann) Middleton of Clemmons, N.C., and Troy (Christina) Middleton of Loxley; two brothers, Leland (Laura) Middleton of Cathleen, Ga., and Zollie (Agnes) Middleton of Loxley; step-daughter, Debra (Wilbur) Wynn of Alabaster; two step-sons, Marcus Musick of Loxley and Kevin (Mellisa) Musick of Cottondale; 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday from the chapel of Mack Funeral Home with burial at New Cooper Cemetery in Robertsdale.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Robertsdale Masonic Lodge #821, P.O. Box 213, Robertsdale, AL 36567.