Kenneth Earl Hillberry

Hillberry

Kenneth Earl Hillberry, age 73, passed away on March 3, 2026 in Marietta, Ohio after a courageous but short battle with colon cancer. Ken was born on December 12, 1952 to Kenneth Hillberry and Thelma LeRow Hillberry of Parkersburg, WV, joining his four loving older sisters. Ken grew up in Parkersburg, WV surrounded by his large, extended family. There he attended Catholic primary schools and graduated from Parkersburg Catholic High School, where he played varsity baseball and football. Ken earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from West Virginia University and spent his life in the creative arts. He endeavored to express a love of aesthetics through his paintings and drawings.

Ken was a kind and gentle soul and had a gift of making friends wherever he lived across West Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Ohio. It’s been said Ken had an ‘ageless’ quality about him and that Ken could dismiss any conformity or triviality to ‘see you for you’, and he made it easy to gain people’s trust and affection.

Those who knew him will remember his warm, engaging personality, his kind demeanor, and the amazing artistic talent he was blessed with. His art graces many homes of friends and family across the country. As recently as July 2025, Ken won 2nd prize in a juried exhibit at Parkersburg Arts Center and was accepted into an exhibit at the WVU Alumni gallery in summer of 2026. He attended St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Parkersburg. He volunteered his time at The Stone Soup Kitchen, helping serve those less fortunate. However, the most important role to Ken was being a father to his two sons and they were the main focus of his life.

Ken is survived by his sister Muriel (Mel) Mueller of Michigan and his sons, Adam Hillberry of Colorado and Geoffrey Hillberry of North Carolina. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ken will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Anna Earlene Tennant, sister Paula Ellen Hoffman, and sister Jane Rae Rader.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Parkersburg, WV, with a 10:00am funeral mass and 11:00am celebration of life in the Parish Hall. Ken’s memory will live on in his artwork and the hearts of his family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know him. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ken’s memory to the Parkersburg Arts Council and the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation.