Larry Conley Hildreth

July 17, 1943- June 6, 2026.

Larry Conley Hildreth, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, gentleman, kind-hearted soul, smart and goofy at times, but also badass and dependable.

Born in Ohio, with roots in West Virginia, Ireland and England, Larry lived in nine U.S. states, Japan and Saudi Arabia before falling head-over-heels in love with one Betty Beer of Pincher Creek, Alberta. Some forty years ago, the family settling on Vancouver Island, B.C., immersing themselves in Metchosin community life.

Larry loved sports, to watch them and to play them, throwing the javelin and swimming in college and adopting golf in his later years, working at the Par 3 course in Metchosin for a spell. He encouraged his five children to appreciate sporting events and outdoor activities, taking each of his children to practices and games and on backpacking and fishing outings. His grandchildren share fond memories of Grandad challenging them to backyard games of ladder ball, volleyball and mini golf.

Larry fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, serving in the U.S. Air force, then as a Learjet test pilot, then as Director of Flight Operations for Aramco Aviation, a job which once allowed him to pilot the prime minister of Canada to a meeting. He took a break from piloting to join Betty in captaining Bedwell Harbor Resort on Pender Island, which the couple owned for a few seasons before Betty moved into community service and Larry returned to the skies, spending the remainder of his flying career piloting the Airbus for America West/American Airlines.

Mechanically inclined, starting in his early teens, Larry worked diligently on cars and trucks and his cherished DeLorean. It felt like Larry could fix anything. He hosted terrific dance parties, backyard cookouts and family game nights. He savored good food, good music and a good gathering. In Larry’s final days members of his family gathered around him, holding his hands and singing songs he loved and sharing stories with him.

Larry’s spirit lives on – from Metchosin, BC to Oklahoma, California, Mayne Island and Japan – in Betty, Christian, Lori, Holly, Andrew, Alexis as well as his siblings, John, Lindy and Stephen. He was loved and he is missed.