Calvin R. Hill

1944 - 2013

Calvin R. Hill, 87 died at 8:32 p.m. Feb. 24, 2013
Calvin was born September 14, 1925 in Spiro, Oklahoma to W.W. [Doc] and Nellie Metcalf Hill. The family made their home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Calvin grew up in the Labadie Heights area. He attended Bartlesville schools and graduated in 1944 from College High School. Shortly after graduation Calvin joined the United States Merchant Marine and served in the South Pacific during WWll. Following his honorable discharge from the US Merchant Marine he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
After serving his tenure in the army, he returned to Bartlesville and attended the Lincoln School of Welding in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he received several different welding certificates. Following graduation, Calvin worked for H.C. Price Pipeline Company and Great Lakes Pipeline Company. Calvin and the former Jerrie Lou Sturm were married in Wyoming, Minnesota while he was supervising the laying of a pipeline. The couple made their home in Bartlesville.
In 1962 Calvin helped form Scott and Hill Steel Corporation, a steel fabricating company. The company was chosen by Mrs. H. C. Price to fabricate and erect the now renowned Sooner Park Tower designed by Bruce Goff. In 1986 he reorganized the company as Hill Steel Corporation of which he was owner and president.
Calvin was one of the original founders of Bartlesville Civic Ballet Company and served in many capacities including Vice President for several years. The company afforded his daughter and many other talented young girls the opportunity to enjoy classical dance.
Calvin had a passion for fishing and fished throughout the United States and some foreign countries. He fished the pro bass circuit and also the semi-pro circuit. He was mentioned in Field and Stream magazine and several other fishing periodicals. Due to their passion for fishing, Calvin and several other fishermen organized the local Bartlesville Bass Masters organization and he served as an officer for several years.
Calvin was also a 32nd Degree Mason and received his 50-year pin in 2008.
Calvin was a man of faith and a member of East Bartlesville Christian Church where he raised his children and had served as a deacon.
He is survived by his wife of the home, Jerrie; sons, Tim Hill and wife, Debbie, of Wann; daughter, Julie and husband, Bill Valerioti, of Houston, Texas; Sam Hill and wife ,Tama, of Bartlesville; Five grandchildren: Josh Hill and wife, Nicole, of Copan; Meganne Valerioti and husband, Mike Jones, Joe Valerioti and Emily Valerioti of Houston, TX; and Sam Hill ll of Bartlesville; two great grandchildren, Wyatt and Jerzie Hill of Copan. Also surviving are his sister, Jean Hoskinson of Bartlesville and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Rex and Carl Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzhiemers Association, the Sooner Park Play Tower Restoration project at indegogo.com/playtower or Comforting Hands Hospice.
Funeral Services are to be held on Thursday at 2:00 pm in the Walker-Brown Chapel under the direction of Walker Brown Funeral Home.