James "Jim" Robert Hill

James Robert “Jim” Hill was born November 18, 1927 in Payette, Idaho to Joseph Walter Hill of Midvale, Idaho and Mary Ellen Smoyer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, at age 24 and 26 respectively when they married January 9, 1920. He passed away at age 92 on July 26, 2020 as a result of a heart attack.   Walter and Ellen had two sons, George ‘Rollin’ Hill and Jim.  Rollin was born on October 25, 1925 and predeceased Jim on October 14, 1996, leaving one son Walter.  

Jim married the true love of his life, Doloris Virginia “Dee” “Doggett” on May 8, 1949 in Weiser, Idaho, at age 21 and 23 respectively.  Dee predeceased Jim on December 15, 2016.  Jim and Dee had one son, Daniel J. Hill, and surviving him is Dan, his wife Mollie Croisan, and grand-daughter Mackenzie Hill.  Surviving him are also nephew Walter Hill, sister and brother in law Vivian and Junior Keithley, and numerous nieces and nephews from Ruell and Hilda Doggett and the Keithleys.  Jim attended and graduated High School in Midvale, Idaho, joined the US Army, Corps of Engineers, and saw service in Korea.  After returning home, his Uncle Jim Dunham of Pendleton, Oregon introduced him to another Jim Hill, Manager of Pendleton Grain Growers, and thereafter Jim became a PGG employee for decades, moving from the Pendleton Shop, to Feedville at Hermiston, and retiring as the Elevator Manager shipping grain on the Columbia River after being the longest term employee of the company.  Jim enjoyed water skiing, hunting, fishing and camping, though mostly just time with Dee.  He was an exceptional millwright, electrician, mechanic, builder and was able to fix just about anything. He was a respected supervisor among the people he worked with, and enjoyed the team effort.  He was an exceptionally good person.

A private burial will take place in Midvale, Idaho.  Any donations in Jim’s name should be made to the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, 610 NW 11th St., Hermiston, OR 97838.

Please share memories of Jim with his family at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

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A Note from Dan: The greatest man I ever knew passed away on July 26, 2020.  Everyone should have a greatest dad, but I know I did, I learned everything about being who I am from him and my mother, but distinctly him.  He made me the person I am and without him I would not be remotely who and where I am.  I was fortunate to tell him that and other things before he passed.

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