LEWISTON – Frank V. Hiltz Jr., 81, a resident of 57 Stevens St., Lewiston, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, Aug. 14, surrounded by family at St. Margerite d’Youville Pavilion.

He was born in Wilton, Dec. 25, 1923, the son of Frank V. and Lorraine (Bubier) Hitlz Sr. He attended Livermore Falls High School and Wilton Academy.

He married Ruth Hiscock of Livermore, on Dec. 10, 1942.

He joined the Marine Corps at Paris Island, S.C., in 1942. Of his four-year service, he spent two years in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged following World War II.

He attended Eastern Nazarene College and was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Mechanic Falls.

After World War II, he was chosen from many applications to work for Brown, Wales, Steel Co. of Maine. This is where he started in the steel business and was known as the “steel man of Maine.” In 1974, he started his own company, Tri-State-Steel Inc., at the Lewiston-Auburn Airport. Then he purchased the buildings on Washington Street where the business is now.

His son, Skip, joined him and the company took off to be a great success in warehouse and fabrication sales. He retired at age 67, and Skip became owner and operator of the family business.

He was a member of the Kora Shrine Temple, American Legion Post 150 of Mechanic Falls, Tyrian Lodge of Mechanic Falls, Lewiston Lodge of Elks 371 and VFW Post 01603 as a life member.

Besides his wife, Ruth, of Lewiston, he is survived by two sons, Frank V. Hiltz III of Auburn, and Timothy P. Hiltz and wife, Patty Lage, of Portland; daughter, Judith L. Hiltz of Biddeford; two sisters, Meridith Hughy of Mechanic Falls and Elinor Ragain of Leesburg, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Penny Gagnon and husband, Jim, of Saco, Frank V. Hiltz IIII and wife, Donna, of Alabama, James S. Hiltz of Arizona, Timothy P. Hiltz Jr., and wife, Georgia, of Buxton, Melissa Ferland and husband, Scott, of Poland, Wanda Berry of Lewiston and Court Hoffman of Seattle, Wash.; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was predeceased by sister, Jackie Robbins of Leesburg, Fla.