BECKLEY W.Va. (WVDN) – On May 6, Willie Hylton was installed as the West Virginia Elks State President at Glade Springs Resort, Beckley. Willie has the distinction of being the first West Virginia State Elks President from Lewisburg Elks Lodge #1758 of the South District of West Virginia.
Hylton was born in Ronceverte, but lived his early years in Union, where he graduated in 1973 from Union High School.
Hylton was married to Linda Caper of Sweet Springs. They have one daughter, Sara Lewis (Ben) of Greensboro, North Carolina. They also have two Grandson’s, Austin Lewis (Morgan) of St. Albans, West Virginia and Bradley Lewis of South Charleston, West Virginia. They have one Great Grandson, Carter Lewis of St. Albans, West Virginia.
On July 21, 1995, Willie married the love of his life, Patty Clay and will be celebrating 30 years of marriage this July. He has two step-sons, Donnie Wise (Misha) of Dallas, Texas and Stephen Wise (Candace) of Front Royal, Virginia. He has three step-grandchildren, Ellie Wise, Elsie Wise and Jude Wise of Front Royal, Virginia.
Whie Willie was working full time, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Bluefield State University in 1996. He attained his Master Degree in Business Management from West Virginia University in 1999.
Willie Hylton has distinguished himself as a member of the Lewisburg Lodge #1758 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 41 years.
While a member of Lewisburg Elks Lodge #1758, Willie was to serve as their Exalted Ruler in 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. He has served his Lodge with distinction and in many positions including Treasurer 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013; Secretary 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2024-2025; Trustee 2018-2019, 2022-2023; Esquire 1996-1997, Lecturing Knight 1997-1998, Loyal Knight 1998-1999 and has served as Chairman of various committees including ENF from 2001-2013, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026; Hoop Shoot Chairman 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026.
Willie was appointed by Grand Lodge to serve the South District of West Virginia as District Deputy Esquire for the 2020-2021 year. He was then appointed by Grand Lodge to serve the South District of West Virginia as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the 2021-2022 year.
Willie has served the West Virginia Elks Association by serving on the Following Committees: Golf 2017 to present, VP South of the West Virginia PER Association 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, Inner Guard 2021-2022 for the West Virginia State
Elks, President of the PER Association for the 2022-2023 year, Audit Committee VP South for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 year, 2024-2025 year, Convention Committee 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 year, 2024-2025 year, State Chairman for Elk of the Year for 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 year, 2024-2025 year and 2025-2026. Vice-President of the Major Project Board for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 year, 2024-2025 year, VP Southern District National Foundation Committee 2022-2023, 2023-2024 year, 2024-2025 year.
His duties as State President will include visiting all 18 lodges in the State of West Virginia. He will attend the Elks National Convention in July 2025, being held in Kansas City, Missouri. He will also attend the West Virginia Elks Mid-Year Convention in Huntington from August 2-25 and the Annual Convention in May of 2026 at Oglebay Park, Wheeling. Willie will also attend the Kentucky State Convention in February 2026 and the Virginia State Elks Convention. Willie’s other duties will include acting as emissary of the West Virginia State Elks Association, as may occur, which will help fulfill his duties as State Elks President.
