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CARL EUGENE (GENE) HILL
August 15, 1927 - April 18, 2016
Carl Eugene (Gene) Hill passed away April 18, 2016 of congestive heart failure in Boise, Idaho at 88 years old. He was born August 15, 1927 in his family home in Ysleta, TX (now part of El Paso) to parents Floyd and Ida Hill. He had two older brothers, Allan and Jim, and a younger brother, Kenneth.
Having skipped a year of school, he graduated at 16 years old from Ysleta High School. Gene was both a scholar and an athlete, playing football, basketball, and was a record holder on the track team. The record he broke had been held by his older brother, Jim. In turn, his record was subsequently broken by his younger brother, Kenneth.
At 17, he joined the Navy. World War II ended before he would have been able to see action so he spent some of his service time playing piano in bands performing at USO facilities, as well as attending courses at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. Upon returning to El Paso, he earned degrees in Business and English from Texas College of Mines (now the University of Texas at El Paso) and began working as a teacher and coach at Ysleta High School.
Playing and listening to music was always important to him throughout his life. He was a fine musician and singer, having worked as church pianist and organist, as well as in professional dance bands. He played a fine stride piano and a mean boogie woogie.
On August 26, 1949 Gene married the great love of his life, Rosie Mae Sheppard, at the Ysleta Methodist Church. They had met there while both attended that church's Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) program. Sunday night fried chicken dinners prepared by Rosie's Mother accelerated their ultimate marriage. They had two children, Stephen Eugene and David William. Gene and Rosie were married for 66 years.
After teaching for a year and planning their new family, he began working for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company as an entry-level pay telephone coin collector. He worked at the phone company for the rest of his career life, finishing in Boise as Vice President and CEO of Idaho, and an officer of US West Communications. Gene and Rosie moved frequently during the course of his career, living in El Paso twice, Roswell, NM once, Phoenix, AZ once, Denver, CO three times, New York, NY once (with additional concurrent offices in Chicago and Orlando), and Boise twice.
He was especially proud of his community service and leadership, where he was a founding member of the Idaho Community Foundation, served on the Idaho Centennial Commission planning committee, on boards of directors for St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Key Bank of Idaho, Idaho Association for Commerce and Industry, the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, the College of Idaho, the Salvation Army, the BSU College of Business, the Arid Club, served on the Governors Committee on Education, on the planning committee for the Boise River Festival, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club.
After retiring, he enjoyed travelling, cruising, and golfing with friends, family and the Crane Creek Dewsweeper's. But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his older brothers Allan and Jim, and his eldest son, Stephen Eugene Hill. He is survived by his beloved wife Rosie, their son David (Carla), daughter-in-law Glenda (Stephen), granddaughter Jessica (Ryan) Weatherstone and their daughter, Gene's great-granddaughter, Emma Rose, grandson Stephen Thomas (Jessica Strand), brother Kenneth, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to offer special thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who made his life at home safe and comfortable during his last months, Carrie Andrysiak, Melissa Addington, Michael Darren, Laurie Evans and Jackie Bauer.
A memorial service will be held at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 22, followed by a reception at the same location.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
4 Entries
Hi, I am sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort and peace be with you and your family. 2 Corinthans 1: 3 & 4
September 6, 2016
I extend my deepest heartfelt sympathy to my sweet Aunt Rosie, my cousin David, second cousins Jessica and Steven and to Glenda and all others who are grieving for this wonderful man who touched so many lives in a positive way.
All of my memories of Uncle Gene are happy ones. I loved how he found so much joy in the simple things in life. It was always clear that family was paramount. His contagious smile and his natural instinct to encourage those around him were characteristics I adored. As a child I felt like the luckiest girl in the world being around him. As an adult, I felt we were kindred spirits in this way. I also loved his sympathy and compassion for others when he understood they were in pain. We didn't need a lot of words. Our family had more than it's share of sadness and suffering with the losses of our loved ones taken too soon. I like to believe Uncle Gene is with our creator now, celebrating a life well lived in the company of those who have gone before us. May he rest in peace forevermore.
Marsha Sheppard McGuire
April 27, 2016
My prayers are with Mr. Hill's family. My name is also Gene Hill, and I'm now the pastor of Parkview Christian Church in Meridian. During the 1980s when I lived here the first time, I remember getting mail for the "famous" Gene Hill, and perhaps he and I talked on the phone. That was in my 30s and I'm now in my 60s! And I was away for 19 years. I salute the "famous" Gene Hill for his work ethic and his commitment to Boise and the State of Idaho. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
Rev. Gene Hill
April 25, 2016
I had the privilege of working with Gene in different capacities over many years at Mtn Bell/US WEST. He was a role model in all respects and I truly wanted to emulate his leadership qualities in my position in NM. Gene and I were state VPs/CEOs together. My wife and I have family members in Boise and McCall. Thus we spent many, many wonderful moments together with Gene and Rosie--in their home, on the golf course, at dinner and more. Truly we will miss him greatly! Duffy and Jean Ann Swan
Duffy Swan
April 22, 2016
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