Colonel Kenneth F. Hill
Colonel Kenneth F. Hill, age 96, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Sunday, August 30, 2020, in Hennis Care Centre at Dover while under the care of Community Hospice.
Ken was born in his family’s Goshen Valley home on March 8, 1924, a son of the late Howard Richard and Hazel Ruby (Heffelfinger) Hill.
Ken was a 1942 graduate of the former Midvale High School and was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps on February 5, 1943.
Following the completion of his pilot’s training, Ken served as a B-24 pilot in the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force in China during World War II. His numerous awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster and a Presidential Unit Citation with four battle stars. He served as an active US Air Force Reservist during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and progressed through the ranks as a reservist until his official retirement as a Colonel on March 8, 1984.
On June 26, 1943, while stationed as an Aviation Cadet at Maxwell Field, Alabama, Ken married the former Wilma Aileen Nation. Together, the couple had six children and celebrated 75 years of marriage prior to Aileen’s passing on August 14, 2018.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Ken joined Illinois Power, Babcock & Wilcox and Allied Machine & Engineering where he worked in the Quality Assurance field. Upon his second retirement, Ken traded in his daily work life for an RV; and with Aileen and their dogs at his side, they traveled throughout the United States. He was an avid fan of hunting and fishing, loved anything mechanical, and had taken the time to trace his family lineage back to the year 788. Ken was also a life member of the VFW and the Air Force Association.
Ken is survived by his sons, Kenneth (Rose Marie) Hill, Jr. of Merritt Island, Florida, Dan A. (Richard Ross) Hill of Sugar Land, Texas, Ronald Hill of Columbus and daughters, Kathleen (James) Green of Kimbolton and Darleen Grimm of Uhrichsville; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Ken was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister; a daughter, Marleen Ballentine; and a brother, Howard Hill.
In keeping with Ken’s wishes, cremation has taken place. It was the wish of both he and Aileen that a joint service celebrating their lives be held. Guests are welcome to greet the family in the Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery on Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 10:30 – 11:00 AM where Pastor Brian Flood will lead the joint celebration of life and committal service for the Hill’s at 11:00 AM. In recognition of Ken’s tenured service with the United States Air Force, Military Honors will be rendered.
Memorial contributions in Ken’s name may be directed to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
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