Homegoing Service for Mr. Hilton Whitaker

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"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

-2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Mr. Hilton Whitaker, Jr. (Lucky),77 of Charlotte, passed away with peace and grace on Monday, May 25, 2021.

Hilton also known as Lucky was born to Naomi Little and Hilton Whitaker Sr. on November 3, 1943, in Brooklyn New York.  He graduated from East New York Vocational & Technical High School in 1960.

Hilton was introduced at a young age to gospel music and developed a love for God through the guidance of his Aunt Rosa Lee in South Carolina.

In 1960, Hilton participated in the New York Golden Gloves.  The following year he entered the US Army where he was a paratrooper and honed his boxing skills to become a member of the US Army National Boxing Team.  After touring the world representing the US, he settled in Vauxhall, New Jersey and went on to become the NJ State Amateur Middle Weight Boxing Champion in 1966.  Later that year he became a professional boxer and was ranked the 7th Middle Weight Boxer in the world.

In 1967, Hilton established the Second Street Youth Center boxing team in Plainfield, NJ.  While playing flag football at the Youth Center, he damaged his right knee and was forced to retire from boxing in 1969.  The 1972 Olympics rekindled his dream for boxing and though his knee injury limited his mobility, he went on to fight professionally until his retirement in 1975.

After his retirement from boxing, he went into the restaurant business (he LOVED to cook) for several years, prior to joining New Jersey Transit as a bus driver where he worked until retirement in 2001.

In 1992, Hilton became a boxing official, Judge and Referee for the US Amateur Boxing Association, State of New Jersey, IBF and IBO Associations.  One of his greatest honors was being inducted into the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Anyone who knew Hilton, knew he had a deep love and knowledge of music, specifically Jazz and Blues.

Hilton moved to Charlotte, NC from Old Bridge NJ in 2009 where he volunteered faithfully at Men's homeless shelter.  In addition, to his unselfish service to the community, his Christian journey includes membership with the following churches-Sharon Baptist Church, Pastor Conway C. Johnson (New Brunswick, NJ), Greater Vision United Methodist Church, Pastor Alexis Anthony (Huntersville, NC).  He also served as Deacon, Choir member, member of the Missionary Ministry and Youth Ministry.  Upon relocating to Columbia, SC, he joined First John Baptist Church on February 26, 2020, where he served faithfully.  "Champ" as he was affectionately called, continued to serve during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as he attended church in the sanctuary every Sunday to make sure his Pastor and 10 church members were taken care of.

Hilton was preceded in death by his father, Hilton Whitaker, Sr., Mother, Naomi Little, brother Ronald Whitaker and loving wife, Sandra Whitaker.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Unique Davis (Niecey) of VA, Hilton Whitaker, III of NJ, Latoni Kendrick (Martin) of NC and Megan Plummer (Christopher) of NJ.  7 grandchildren, Jared Whitaker, William Davis, Jenee Anderson, Kiara Davis, Myles Plummer, Camrie Plummer and Hilary Whitaker.  3 brothers, Henry McRae, Daniel Little and Darin Little, 4 sisters, Rhonda Talbert, Sherry McRae, Medora Little and Renee Bates.  Special friends, Robert and Cheryl Scott and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and lives he touched.