Kenneth Hiller

1938 - 2016

Ken Hiller

1938-2016

Ken Hiller, The Voice Lives On. For decades, Ken Hiller was one of the most sought-after radio and television voice talents in the country. He passed away peacefully at his home in Gulf Breeze, FL on July 13, 2016 with his beloved wife, Marge, by his side. He was 77 years old.

He is survived by his children, Kristin (with husband June Hu) and Eric; grandson Noah and his mother Debra; granddaughter, Cailee and her mother Sarah; and grandsons, Logan and Max and their mother Kylie; and brother, Wayne and sister-in-law, Marge.

Ken was born in 1938 in Bridgeport, CT and graduated from Stratford High School in 1956. He served in the US Air Force; then during his version of the "On the Road" years, Ken traveled the country making his way as a portrait artist.

His media career began in Oahu, HI, where he was a producer, director, recording engineer and headed his company, Unprecedented Productions. As an actor, he appeared in stage productions and on television in the original series, Hawaii Five-O. He also had his own show, called Hiller's Chiller.

In 1972, Ken flew to the crisp weather and growing media markets of Minneapolis and St. Paul. There, he quickly established himself as one of the most respected voice-over talents in the business. He was the voice of hundreds and perhaps thousands of radio and television commercials and industrial films. Ken also donated his time and talent to fundraisers for local nonprofits. Although encouraged to move to a bigger market, Ken chose to stay in the Twin Cities, because it was a great place to raise his kids. So, the bigger markets came to Ken, and his list of major accounts grew throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s.

In 1974, Ken met and married the love of his life, Marge, and they settled into their lakeside home in Tonka Bay to raise their family.

In 1981, Ken was chosen to be the narrator of the record-breaking National Public Radio production of George Lucas' Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. At the time, this landmark production was perhaps the most ambitious radio project ever attempted. During its first broadcast, it generated the largest response in the network's history; 50,000 letters and phone calls in a single week, an audience of 750,000 per episode and a subsequent 40-percent jump in NPR listenership. And it was Ken's rich baritone that held the episodes together.

When Ken hung up his microphone, he and Marge moved from wintery Minnesota to the year-long summers of Florida. They lived on the water where Ken spent his time boating and relaxing.

Most of all, Ken was a loving husband, father, grandfather and dear friend to so many wherever he lived. Ken's "one-in-a-million" voice and handsome smile will live on in the hearts of all who knew or only heard him. Messages can be sent to kenhillermn@gmail.com.

There will be a private memorial service.

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