Hugh Hills

Hugh Hills, age 99, of Joplin, Missouri passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 22nd 2025 after a long and fulfilling life.
Hugh was born July 30, 1925 in Cedar Vale, Kansas to the late Leo and Mildred (Hines) Hills.
Hugh attended Neosho High School and started working for Boeing at the age of 18 where he aided in assembling B29 planes used in World War II. He later went on to work at Meeker Company, a leathergoods factory in Joplin, where he worked in in multiple departments during his 30 years of dedicated service to the company. Hugh met Emma Sue Leatherwood at Meeker Company, and they married in 1951 at Forest Park Church in Joplin. In the late 1960's Hugh owned and operated two Mr. Swiss Drive-Ins in the Joplin area. Hugh was a man of great faith and was a long-time member of Opolis Christian Church.
Hugh often said, "I've had a wonderful life". This was usually the closing after he told his family one of his many stories of his life experiences which they all hold dear in their hearts. Hugh had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed canoeing, fishing, and arrowhead hunting. He had an appreciation for nature and animals and found happiness in being outdoors in God's creation. Hugh was a loving person with a huge heart who showed kindness to everyone he met.
He was just three months shy of 100 years, but had always shared that he was, "shooting for 106".
Emma Sue Hills preceded him in death in 2007. To this union came three children; daughter, Conni Lipe and husband, Ron of Joplin; daughter, Cathy Kidwell and husband, Joe of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and son, Thomas Hills and wife, Kristan of Joplin; 5 grandchildren, Aaron Lipe and wife, Alexis, Emily Lipe, Cole Kidwell and wife, Lauren, Dylan Hills and Tanner Hills; 3 great-grandchildren, Vivian, Griffin, and Maggie. Other than his parents, Hugh is preceded in death by sisters, Wanda Kopf and Darlene Hills.
A graveside service will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joplin Humane Society in care of the mortuary in honor of Hugh.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.