Joseph Raymond Hill

HILL Joseph Raymond, 72, formerly of Seward, died unexpectedly of heart failure Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. He and his wife, Linda were vacationing with friends in Columbia Falls, Mont. Joe and Linda owned the Rainbow Resort in Hope, Idaho, where they live during the summer seasons. They spend their winters in their second home in Palm Desert in southern California at Monterey Country Club. Born June 4, 1938, in Johnstown, to Joseph and Mildred (Berkhammer) Hill. His father was a coal miner and times were tough when Joe was young. The oldest of seven children, Joe started working as a teenager to help support the family. He became independent early in life and developed a very strong work ethic, often working three jobs at the same time. Joe moved first to Ohio, where he worked a variety of jobs. Then he moved on to the Sacramento area of California, where he lived much of his adult life. He owned a Shell gas station and eventually worked his way to owning the largest transmission shop in northern California. Joe developed a hobby of working on and driving sprint cars. He built his own car and became a sprint racing champion in the Sacramento region. He was a lifelong NASCAR fan. Joe loved fishing, hunting and golf. In the Sacramento area, he would often take his boat out on the Delta to fish for sturgeon. He fished for salmon in the Campbell River in Canada and went deep-sea fishing in Mexico. An avid hunter, he spent time hunting a variety of game in Pennsylvania, Alaska, California, Colorado and many other places. In Idaho, every year Joe looked forward to the fall deer season and setting up elk camp in the high drive area south of Clark Fork. Joe loved golf, was a true student of the game and was a natural teacher. Preceded in death by father, Joseph; mother, Mildred; sister, Dolores Burgraff; and previous wife, Lar Mae. Survived by wife, Linda, and her sons, Darren and Bryan Rocque; daughter, Sherrie Hill, Gettysburg, Pa.; grandchildren, Tracy, Falon, Billy and Kevin; two great-grandchildren; and stepsons, Mark, Wayne and Rick Hurst, and their four children. Also surviving are brothers, Richard, married to the former Helen Shawley, Seward; Robert, married to the former Louella Davis, Seward; and Ronald, married to the former Sally Mabon, New Florence; sisters, Shirley, married to Vincent Clark, New Alexandria, Pa.; and Helen, married to Art Boring, New Florence; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Joe has been called back to his heavenly home and will be greatly missed by his family and friends, whom he cherished. The real love of his life was babies; he loved to cradle them on his chest. As strong as he was, Joe was a hugger and a gentle man. Relationships were very important to Joe; he maintained longtime friendships throughout his life. He was a loyal friend and relative who would give you the shirt off his back. His happy-go-lucky attitude and helpful nature will be missed by one and all. Joe's last day was glorious. He played golf with his wife and close friends and birdied his last hole. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Jon A. Meese Funeral Home, 1201 Fifth St., Seward, where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, the Rev. Duk Hee Han and Pastor James Sunseri, officiating. Private interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Johnstown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice or the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.meesefuneralhome.com for online condolences.

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