William J. Hill
November 16, 1921 - August 7, 2007
Obituary
William J. Hill
Lt.Col USAF Ret.
1921 – 2007. Passed away August 7, 2007. Survived by his wife of 63 years Grace, daughter Patricia Bako and her husband Mike, sons James Hill and his wife Joann and Samuel Hill and his wife Karen, 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. William Bill spent 21 years in the Air Force flying jet aircraft. He was an instructor at Tuskegee, Alabama when he met and married Grace Cox in 1943. After retiring from the military Bill went to work for Boeing as an engineer. He retired from Boeing after 20 plus years. Bill loved to spend time with his family, working in his yard and playing a round of golf, which he considered a good crisp walk. He never lost his love of flying, photography, or entertaining friends. Visitation Friday, August 10, 2007 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Saturday, August 11, 2007 from 9:00 AM – 10:45 AM at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac Crypstide service 11:00 AM Saturday, August 11, 2007 at the Chapel of Memories, Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Franciscan Hospice, Tacoma, WA. Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941
Although I only met your husband several times, he was cordial and a gentlemen. I have worked for Sam for twenty years and I know how much Sam loved and respected his father. My sincere condolences to you, Mrs. Hill, and your family.
We had the pleasure of meeting Bill at Jessie’s wedding last fall. Our memory is of him being a Gentlman and a fine Man. It is with our deepest sympathy that we offer our condolences to his wonderful Family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Lemongello Family
Dear Grace and family, Wishing you the peace that only comes from God almighty. It was always wonderful having Bill around when working for you; seeing him take a walk or work in the yard gave me alot of spirit to even work harder. I will miss him too.
Love, prayers and blessings to your family.
Vivian.
My deepest sympathies. Uncle Bill will be missed. I always remember my trips to Washington to visit and my time spent with Uncle Bill fondly. Love, Amy
Dear Grace and family, I am thinking of you all and holding you close at heart.
Love and prayers,
Jeanne
We have shared so many wonderful times together and will always hold those memories in our hearts. Bill was one of a kind and a true friend. We felt we had been blessed when we moved here and met “our neighbors”. Bill knew what being a neighbor meant. We shall always miss him. Our warmest thoughts to the entire family.
So sorry to hear about Uncle Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
PRAYERS SENT!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Uncle Bill was always a favorite of my mother and I have good memories of him as a boy. God Bless.
Jason, Jennifer, and Charlie Ross
One thing I remember about your dad is that he always had a camera around his neck!!! Always taking pictures. Before he got real sick, he shared some of those pictures with me. I am forever grateful as I got to see my Dad in them.
Much love and prayers,
Vicki