Charles Eugene Hill

Charles Eugene Hill was born on April 6, 1929 in Rapid City, South Dakota and passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 93 years of age. Charles "Chuck", as his friends called him, was the only child of Charles Wyman and Sarah Annette (Moats) Hill.

Growing up his father worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad and the family moved frequently. When Chuck was 16 his father was transferred to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Young Chuck did not wish to leave his high school in Chadron Nebraska during his Senior Year, so he rented a room in a home owned by an older lady and spent his Senior Year without his family. Just before his graduation his mother became gravely ill, so he hitched a ride on a small plane that landed in a field in Colorado, hitchhiked to catch a train to Chicago, got on a bus, (which broke down on the way to Green Bay), walked to the next town and found another train to take him the rest the way home. Thankfully with the advent of newly invented penicillin his mother recovered, and he received his diploma and his football letter in the mail later that summer.

He enrolled in the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay in 1946 and attended night classes with many of the returning World War II soldiers for a year, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Madison. When his father was once again transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, Chuck transferred to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Drafted into the Army in February of 1951 upon his college graduation, he was sent to Ft Riley, Kansas to the 10th Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was discharged as a Corporal in February of 1953 to a five year "Ready Reserve" obligation.

Prior to his discharge from the Army, he was able to procure a position with Kansas Power & Light in Salina and ultimately to Topeka to work as an auditor. A position he held for 35 years. He retired as the Senior Internal Audit Supervisor at the age of 59 in May of 1988. He remained in Topeka until 2019 when he moved to Overland Park, Kansas to be closer to his son and family.

On May 14, 1960, he married his long-time girlfriend, Joanne (Weaver) Hill. To this union one child was born, Charles Adams Hill. Their marriage lasted 38 years and Chuck was devastated when he lost Joanne April 3, 1998 due to complications from her lifelong struggle with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He met and married Anita Kay Harris on November 3, 2001. Both were widowed and they enjoyed many trips together until Kay's death December 10, 2004. Although their years together were short, he missed Kay greatly and never remarried.

Chuck was active in the Arab Shriners, the Scottish Rite and Masonic Lodge in Topeka and State Sons of the American Revolution where he served as Chaplain for several years. He also he served as Secretary for the Kansas Power & Light Retirement Club and was President of the Masonic High Twelve Club. Chuck and Kay were members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Topeka, where he participated in their ROMEO club. He was a collector of antique cars and owned several including a 1957 Chevy Bel Air and a 1941 Cadillac. He also enjoyed history, particularly World War I, World War II and Korean War and was an avid reader of history.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Joanne (Weaver) Hill; his wife of 3 years, Anita Kay Harris and his mother and father, Charles Wyman and Sarah Annette (Moats) Hill, as well as, many valued friends. He is survived by his son, Charlie Hill (Danita), Overland Park; his grandchildren: Scott Garrett-Wyman Hill (Taylor), Overland Park; and Sarah Jane Abbott (Matthew), Denver, CO; and his great grandchildren Emerson Marie Hill, Sullivan Charles Hill, Hayes Edward Hill and Hadley Margaret Hill.

Chuck, known as "G-Pa" to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, will be missed for his dry wit and take on life. In 1998 we asked him several questions about his wishes after he passed. His best comments were: "Keep it simple" and "If you're going to have an escort to the cemetery make sure the guy leading it doesn't hold up the procession." He was not just "on time," he was ALWAYS early, and anytime the family traveled together they could count on him to be ready to go and waiting on everyone else to show up.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Colonial Village in Overland Park. Both staff and residents in the Independent Living area were gracious and kind during Chuck's time there. Special thanks to Linda, Jill, Lisa, Maddie, Dan and those who served him his favorite ice cream in the dining area AND were good to look after him. Also to: Helen, Doris, Callen, "Preacher Dan" and MANY others in the Independent Living area who offered compassion and kindness. They also wish to express gratitude to Dr. Stuart Hinton; and Kansas City Hospice for their amazing care during his final hours.

We know in heaven ice cream will be plentiful and he will be eternally happy.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Topeka Arab Shrine earmarked to the Shriners Hospital at 1305 S Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612 or to Kansas City Hospice House at 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145