Darwin D. Hill

Darwin D. Hill
I, Darwin the Great, have passed on to a higher kingdom at the age of 86. I was born on September 17, 1937 in Ogden, Utah to Robert John Hill and Elizabeth Cockerham Hill. I was the second of two boys, my older brother Robert being the first. I grew up in Washington Terrace and lived there my entire life.
My father died when I was 14 years old so I had to grow up fast. Before he died he taught me to stick up for myself and never back down from a fight. I used those lessons later in life as a fierce defender of my family. My mother taught me to work hard, something I carried forward into my work and family life.
I graduated from Weber High School in 1956. At my seminary graduation I met my sweetheart, Luella Peterson. We married in December 1957 and were married for 50 years before she passed in June of 2008. We have four children, Scott, Doug, Kristen and David (Pamela). We have six grandchildren, Heath (Kristi), Holton, Dylan (Brittnie), Ryan, Elizabeth and Katie. We have four great grandchildren, Connor, Emily, Cali, and Daxton.
I started working for Mountain Bell when I was 15 years old as a janitor. I rode the bus to work after school. I started paying my mother rent, and bought her first washer and dryer for her home at R.C. Willey. I helped my mom, and built my credit at the same time. After graduating from high school, I started working as an installer and lineman. I went inside to work on dispatch after I burned a pole in a windstorm at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. If you don't know what burning a pole is, count yourself lucky. After dispatch was moved to Salt Lake City, I went back outside to work as a locator, and cable-man. For several years I had an assistant with me in my truck. A beautiful six-foot stuffed bunny. I always made sure she wore her seatbelt and hard hat. We had some good times, even with her surviving the kidnappings from my truck. I worked for the telephone company for forty-seven years and had many great friends, and my bunny. Kristen dressed my bunny in velvet and pearls for my retirement party.
When I wasn't working I was playing hard. I loved my games, playing on many recreation league softball and basketball teams. I loved to play golf and organized weekly outings for years with anywhere from sixteen to thirty of my closest friends. This was sometimes a difficult task, because some golfers called early on Sunday morning waking up Luella to ask for the location and tee time. When my kids were teenagers I had to install a second phone line, because from Thursday to Sunday the phone was tied up with golf shenanigans.
I am a life-long fan of the University of Utah and spent many afternoons and evenings in the U's football stadium and basketball arenas. While out in the community if anyone was wearing Utah gear, you were my instant friend, and I often went and talked with you about our team.
I was naturally good humored, some might say a bit sarcastic. I may have released noxious gasses now and then. I was known by many names: Darwin, Joe, Darwin the Great, the Sherriff, Mad Dog and to my sweet Princess, Lizzie, I was King.
I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was 21 years old, with my father in law baptizing me. I went to seminary in high school so I could play softball with the local ward. I helped Luella with Primary classes, often coming to church after my first session of church at the golf course. Dan Rhodes was my home teacher for 46 years. He was even my home teacher when he was the Bishop, because I was too stubborn, and only wanted Dan. After Luella passed, Dan Rhodes wrangled me in to being a helper in the Scouting program. I used to laugh at how Luella would find it ironic that I finally became a Boy Scout. It was a lot of fun, and I had some great memories, especially the trip to Crystal Springs. I treasured our friendship.
I loved spending time with my extended family. My brother Bob, and Janet and their kids. All of Luella's brothers and sister, and their kids, and my first, honorary "grand baby" Christopher Stone. My sweet angel, Diane, her husband, Dean and their children were our cherished bonus family. I loved the Jazz tickets Clark gave me and Mark and Mindy's Utah football tickets. Thanks for thinking of me.
I would like to think I never met a stranger. I enjoyed striking up a conversation and had many friends and acquaintances from McDonalds, my mall walking friends, my pals at Sees, Jill, Margaret, Becky, and Jennifer, Stephanie, also known as Pretzel Lady, and my other Stephanie at Dillard's, and Kathy or "hearing aid lady." There were also my friends at Lowes, Smiths, Great Harvest Bread, Nam at ABC Mandarin, and Mitra and Arlene at El Matador. Some of my good buddies were the estate sales ladies at WBY, they nicknamed me "Trouble" and they gave me some killer deals.
Some people call funerals a "going home celebration." Well, darlin' I'm coming home. I am so happy to be reunited with my sweet wife, and my best friends, Rocky, Kali Rose, Thumper, and Fritz.
You are commanded to attend my viewing or funeral. Funeral arrangements are being provided by Leavitts Mortuary at 836 36th Street in Ogden. The viewing will be Friday, February 16th from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The funeral is Saturday, February 17th at 11:00am. See www.leavittsmortuary.com for all the details.
Internment of my earthly remains will be at Washington Heights Memorial Park.
I am preceded in death by parents, brother and wife and two great and goofy English bulldogs, Rocky and Kali Rose. I am survived by my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and another great and goofy English bulldog, Daisy.
So, this it for me, in this life at least anyway. In telephone lingo you might say this is the end of the line, so to speak. No dial tone here.