Obituary: Clayton “Whitey” Morris Hilmoe, 85, The Dalles
Clayton “Whitey” Morris Hilmoe went to be with the Lord on March 3rd, 2025 in The Dalles, OR at the age of 85. He was born on December 24, 1939, in Pierre, South Dakota to Orwald and Myrtle Hilmoe. He was the 3rd of 5 brothers.
His fondest memory as a young boy was fishing with his dog at a nearby river.
While in high school, he started his baking career making donuts at the local bakery.
Whitey served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962. He was stationed on the USS Midway from 1961-1962.
In 1962, he moved to Colorado with his parents and two brothers. There he met Alice, who he married in August 1963. They were married for over 61 years.
Whitey returned to baking for several years, moving from South Dakota to Colorado, and finally to Oregon, where he eventually started his own bakery.
Years later, following in his father’s footsteps, he began his second career as an Auto Mechanic, from which he retired after 30 years.
Whitey enjoyed restoring and painting cars. He restored many of his own, as well as for friends, family and many other people in The Dalles. He passed his skills and interests on to both of his sons.
Whitey’s interests included: camping, motorcycle riding, baking, square dancing, working on projects and spending time with family and friends.
In his retirement, Whitey enjoyed several hobbies, such as: painting, building shovel birds, monsters, and cannons made from scrap metal pieces or anything else he could find around his shop. He always kept up his well-groomed property, frequently updating the landscaping. He has also collected many model cars over the years and enjoyed showing his “car room” to friends and family.
Whitey was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in The Dalles, OR for 50 years. During that time, he served in many areas of the church. He especially enjoyed being an usher and greeter.
Whitey is survived by wife Alice; son Scott (Anita) Hilmoe; son Rod (Darla) Hilmoe; daughter Janie (Ron) Nelson; 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Whitey was preceded in death by their father, Orwald; mother, Myrtle; brother Doug.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Calvary Baptist Church (3350 Columbia View Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058) on April 5, 2025, at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Camp Morrow (C/O Anderson’s Tribute Center 1401 Belmont Ave, Hood River, OR 97031)
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
