Floyd Weldon Chilton

Floyd Weldon Chilton, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.  He was born in Surry County, NC, son of the late Floyd Martin Chilton and wife, Lillian Creed Chilton. He moved to Lee County, NC with his parents to begin a life centered around planting, farming and raising flue cured tobacco.  Floyd Weldon graduated from Greenwood School, Lemon Springs, from which he attended all 12 years.  He also attended Gaston Technical College where he received a degree in Automotive Technology and at CCCC for a few years.

Floyd’s father, Floyd Martin Chilton, invented a tobacco curer and together they manufactured the tobacco curer and sold them all across the southern states for flue cured tobacco and also shipped them to other countries to be used for the same purpose.  He created the company, F.M. Chilton Manufacturing Company and served as its president for several years.  He operated the company until tobacco began to be cured in bulk barns.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Janet Hardy Chilton, whom he met and fell in love with when he was in the 11th grade and Janet was in the 9th grade at Greenwood School.  They have two children, a daughter, Rhonda Kay Chilton and a son, Anthony (Tony) Keith Chilton; a sister, Lois Chilton Underwood of Raleigh; a brother, Harold Madison Chilton of Greensboro area; a niece, Donna Underwood Reiter of Salter Path, NC and a nephew, David Michael Underwood of Raleigh, NC; a niece and two sons of his brother, Harold; a sister-in-law, Sandra Brown Sublett, and a niece, Kristin Lee Allen (Bryan Allen), and a great-niece, Addisyn (Addy) Allen.

Floyd Weldon Chilton was retired military, having served in the United States Air Force and in the North Carolina National Guard for a total of 29 years, 11 months, and 20 days.  He proudly served in the National Guard in Sanford, NC, in 2-252nd, Bravo Company, Hell’s Guard; and was an Ole Dawg!  He retired as a tank commander, SSGT in 1996.  In his civilian life, Floyd also worked for Federal Paper Company, now International Paper Company, for a number of years, serving as manager of a woodyard at Moncure, NC.  After the woodyard closed, Floyd worked for a short time at Chatlee Boating and for many years, he worked with H&H Auto Parts in Sanford, NC.

Once of Floyd’s favorite interests was owning and operating old tractors. One of his special loves was being a member and an officer of the Central Carolina Antique and Power Equipment Club, (C-CAPE); and attending old tractors’ shows throughout North Carolina.

Floyd and Janet and their children square danced for 30 years traveling to several states for the national square dance convention.  Floyd and Janet traveled with Rhonda as she was growing up and playing slow pitch soft ball.  She was on school aged teams plus three professional teams as she grew into an adult.  They followed her teams to different areas.  Tony was mascot for their team and as he grew up, he became an announcer for special events and the family followed him as he hosted events such as St. Baldricks Foundation, fund raiser for research for a cure for cancers that affect children.

He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Christian Church, serving as the Sunday School teacher of the Men’s Senior Class, serving as a Deacon and a choir member.  He loved attending church and even after his years of being hard of hearing, he had hearing devices reserved so he wouldn’t miss any of the service.

After his years of retirement, he never stopped moving.  He worked on lawn mowers at his home shop, he helped others by going to where their lawn mowers were when they called him.  He had a very special group of friends that he met each morning at Hardee’s in Tramway for a gathering early morning of military friends, community friends and friends he met through other friends.  He had a good personality and didn’t mind introducing himself to others to gain further friendships and welcome them to the group.

Visitation will be at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Chandler Wilkes and Dr. Greg Poplin officiating.

Donations are welcome to Mt. Pleasant Christian Church, 4460 Lobelia Rd., Vass, NC 28394 or to St. Baldricks Foundation, 1333 South Mayflower Ave., Suite 400, Monrovia, CA 91016 or www.stbaldricks.org.

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