William R Hill

William (Bill) R. Hill, 102, a retired oil field pumper from Cut Bank, passed away November 8, 2013 at the Northern Rockies Medical Center. Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, November 12, at the Whitted Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in the Crown Hill Cemetery.

Bill was born August 5, 1911 at Nez Perce, ID to George & Ella Hill,  one of 8 children. The next year the family moved to Ethridge, MT where his father filed a homestead. The family moved to Seville in 1919 and lived in a tent for the first year.  Bill attended Mead School and later Cut Bank High School.  He married Cleo Van Horn October 26, 1940 at Cut Bank.

He worked for the local oil fields as a pumper for many years before retiring from Phillips Petroleum.

Bill was a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. After retiring he enjoyed fishing, gardening, family gatherings and especially the grand kids.

He also played the banjo & harmonica fluently and called square dances over the years. He says ‘I’m just Bill’ or ‘Dad’ with quiet dignity, humility and steadfastness.

Bill is survived by his wife of 73 years, Cleo of Cut Bank; children, Ronnie (Pat) Hill, Bonnie (Don) Weaver, Betty (Robert) Richter and Bill (Nanette) Hill of Cut Bank; tepchildren, Charles Stevenson of Great Falls and Sally (Joe Marple) of Plains; 10 grandchildren & 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Ness of Spokane along with numerous nieces & nephews.