William Kent Hilfiker, a devoted husband, innovative designer, and proud veteran, passed away peacefully at home under the care of Hospice of Humboldt and many family members, at the age of 94 on October 15, 2025. Bill was born in 1931 in Eureka, the eldest son of Harold Otto Hilfiker and Louise Elizabeth Hilfiker. Along with his brother, Jack, and sister, Jill, Bill enjoyed a lively childhood rooted in the community he served his entire life.

Following his graduation from high school in Eureka, Bill proudly answered the call to service, joining the United States Air Force to serve his country during the Korean War.

Upon returning to Eureka, Bill joined his father’s business, Hilfiker Pipe Company. It was here that his natural curiosity and keen mind propelled him into the field of civil engineering. Bill was a true innovator, dedicating his career to developing inventions in the retaining wall industry. His work on the Hilfiker Wall Systems became a globally recognized achievement, ultimately making his family name synonymous with earth reinforced structures. Through his work, he helped grow the company to sell his patented inventions internationally, leaving an indelible mark on infrastructure worldwide. Bill never truly stopped working for the family business. Even after “retirement” he continued to invent new systems, create new patents, and regularly visit the office. Bill was granted over 50 patents throughout his lifetime. Under the leadership of Hilfiker’s fourth and fifth generations, the company continues to thrive — honoring Bill’s legacy and sustaining its reputation as an industry leader.

In 1955, Bill married Nancy Lee Jacobson. They raised three sons, Arthur Lee, Harold Kent, and William Brent. Bill and Nancy were passionate parents who instilled their adventurous and self-sufficient spirit in their boys. They taught them how to hunt, fish, snow and water ski, and generally navigate the world with competence and curiosity. Summer days were spent either backpacking or at the family property at Camp Grant and were full of excitement, learning, and laughter. 

Bill was a lifelong contributor to his community. He served on the very first Humboldt Builders Exchange Board in 1962 and was a generous supporter of the Sequoia Park Zoo. He played a key role in improving the Bear Grotto habitat and funding the new Aviary, which was later named the Nancy Hilfiker Aviary in her honor. His civic dedication helped ensure that the zoo would continue to thrive for future generations.

Local skiers from the 1960-1980 hey days of skiing at Horse Mountain will remember Bill as omnipresent, cutting firewood in the summer, stringing tow ropes in the fall, and in the winter and early spring first helping damsels in distress get up the challenging rope tows then, masterfully skiing even the worst mashed-potato snow and breakable crust on the steepest slopes with masterful ease. The Hilfiker’s hosted numerous New Years eave parties at “Cedar Creek Cabin”, the structure that Bill and his Boy Scout Explorer Post-180 cohorts had built in the late 1940’s. The last (usually moonlit) run of the calendar year for many such party attendees was from Cedar Creek Cabin down through about 2 miles of tricky terrain to Titlow Hill Road near New Prairie, followed by a jeep ride back to the cabin. With the Scouts, Bill built the first permanent rope tow on Horse Mountain that served the formidable “Bill’s Hill.” An early member of the Horse Mountain ski patrol, and past president of the Humboldt Ski Club, Bill was a true skiing legend and mentor to both his sons and his many friends.

Beyond his professional life, Bill possessed a boundless imagination and a deep love for literature. He was a voracious reader, especially of history, always eager to explore the past through books. This passion fueled his gift for storytelling and writing. Bill was a prolific writer and a dedicated local historian. In addition to his published children’s book, Penelope Pig (based on the stories he told his young sons), he contributed numerous articles to The Humboldt Historian, the journal of the local Historical Society, preserving and sharing the rich heritage of his hometown. Family and close friends continue to enjoy his many written stories about family and company history and will cherish this documented legacy for years and generations to come. Even in the last year, Bill dedicated himself to a new creative pursuit, writing an ambitious historical novel. His determination to write and share these stories speaks volumes about his adventurous spirit and his belief in the power of imagination and history.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Anita Hilfiker. They married in 1991 and enjoyed a life filled with travel, adventure, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Bill and Anita’s partnership thrived both personally and professionally; together they launched and managed successful business ventures that reflected their shared ambition and creativity. Their marriage was marked by teamwork, mutual respect, and a deep love that carried them through every chapter of life.

He is also survived by his devoted sons, Harold Kent Hilfiker and wife Cindy, and William Brent Hilfiker and wife Kathy; his three stepsons; thirteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Harold in 1980; his mother, Louise in 1998; his first wife, Nancy, who passed away in 1987; and his eldest son, Arthur Lee, who left too soon in 1986. He was also preceded by his brother, Jack Hilfiker in 2009, and his sister, Jill Ecklesdafer, in 2025. 

It was Bill’s wish not to have a religious ceremony or traditional funeral. In true Hilfiker fashion, family, friends, and colleagues will come together on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate his life at the company plant in Eureka — a place that meant so much to him and where his spirit of invention and adventure will be remembered.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bill’s name to Humboldt Area Foundation.