Pioneering businesswoman, Lela Estelle Griffin Hilton, was a pillar of graceful leadership and strength. Her southern style and charm as a visionary leader made her a prominent force in the Florida Panhandle in the 1960s and throughout the next five decades. Born September 16, 1932, in Wewahitchka, Florida, Lela passed away at her home on May 25, 2026. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Loyd Charles Hilton, Jr.; son, Loyd Charles ”Chip” Hilton, III; parents, Katherine and Ruel Yon Griffin; and stepfather, David Boatwright. She is survived in death by her daughter, Julie Katherine Hilton, her granddaughter, Ava Hilton, and special friend, Cody Khan. Lela grew up as an only child with humble beginnings in a two-room country house with no indoor plumbing. The Griffins were not lacking in love, character, faith or generosity. In addition to her business acumen, Lela was also known as an accomplished southern cook adding her special flare to recipes. She was recognized by her friends and colleagues for her active lifestyle including 5-mile morning jogs along the beach.

Determined to achieve the American dream, Lela and Charles were married in 1955. This began a stellar 63-year marriage and partnership. Immediately after marrying, Charles and Lela left for El Paso, Texas, where he was first stationed in the United States Air Force. Lela and Charles relocated to Landstuhl, Germany and began their family with the birth of their first child, Julie. While serving in the United States Air Force, Charles traveled throughout Western Europe practicing law with Lela by his side. When his tour ended in 1956, they returned to Panama City, Florida. Shortly after their return to the Panhandle in 1957, they became a family of four welcoming their second child, Chip.

In 1965, a time when most women were homemakers and mothers, Lela paved the way for women by encouraging them to enter the workforce and set high standards for themselves. Lela set the pace for doing it all! Bringing her mother, Katherine, and children, Chip and Julie, into her entrepreneurial dreams, she made the Barron Hilton Inn a family affair. Everyone worked hard! Roles ranged from working at the front desk, maintenance, laundry, cleaning guest rooms, management, accounting, construction and the complicated world of franchising. No job was too big or too small! Starting with the 51 room Barron Hilton Inn, she built and managed an astonishing 1000 rooms on The Emerald Coast.

Lela’s mother, Katherine, Lela and her children built and operated the Barron Hilton Inn which kickstarted the Hilton Family Legacy. Lela led with graceful leadership and encouraged women into the workforce in the 1960s. By the 1990s, she had built and managed an astonishing 1000 rooms along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Her team members and colleagues have always praised her for treating them like family and encouraging team bonding to operate the hotels that won several awards. Lela, her mother and her children turned the hotels into a lasting family legacy that will live for generations. While managing the hotels, Lela and Charles added golf courses to their legacy. Lela successfully operated the Holiday Golf and Racquet Club which consisted of multiple courses. Lela’s legacy in the hospitality industry is unmatched.

Known for her elegance and style, she brought new designs to Panama City Beach and 30A that were unparalleled. Lela accompanied by her daughter, traveled worldwide to trade shows bringing unique design ideas back to the Gulf Coast shores. Her influence can be seen throughout the luxurious resorts that sprinkle the Emerald Coast today. In Paradise by the Sea where she assisted renowned architect, Arthur Dyson, (Protege of Frank Lloyd Wright) in designing and building her spectacular dream home which has won numerous architectural awards. This was the first in a new era of luxury in the Panhandle.

Above all she was a trailblazer when it came to creating beautiful environments, specializing in her landscapes. She took great pride in her philanthropic contributions to the beautification of the roadways in Panama City Beach and 30A. She was passionate about many other causes including mental health research and integrative medicine. She and her husband, Charles, helped to fund The Integrative Medicine Department at The University of Kansas Medical Center.

Visitation will be on Monday June 1st at 10:00 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home with the service to follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Garden following the service. A celebration of Lela's remarkable life will be hosted by Julie and Ava Hilton at Ferrucci’s Restaurant, located at 301 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, at 12:30 p.m. Contributions in lieu of flowers are encouraged to the Julie Katherine Hilton Tree of Life Foundation for Cancer Research at 13200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Unit B, Panama City Beach, Florida 32407, or the charity of your choice in the name of Breast Cancer Warrior, Lela Estelle Griffin Hilton.