Joseph R. Hill, 72
Joseph R. Hill died unexpectedly of heart failure on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. He and his wife Linda were vacationing with friends in Columbia Falls, Mont.
Joe and Linda own the Rainbow Resort in Hope, Idaho where they live during the summer seasons. They spend their winters in their second home in Palm Desert in southern California at the Monterey Country Club.
Joe Hill was born in Seward, Pennsylvania on June 4, 1938 to parents Joseph and Mildred Hill. His father was a coal miner and times were tough when Joe was young. The oldest of seven children, Joe started working as a teenager to help support the family. He became independent early in life and developed a very strong work ethic, often working three jobs at the same time.
Joe moved first to Ohio where he worked a variety of jobs. Then he moved on to the Sacramento area of California, where he lived much of his adult life. He owned a Shell gas station and eventually worked his way to owning the largest transmission shop in northern California. Joe developed a hobby of working on and driving sprint cars. He built his own car and became a sprint-racing champion in the Sacramento region. He was the 1978 champ in the Super Modifieds at West Cap, and the 1982 and 1983 sprint car champion at Placerville. He was a lifelong NASCAR fan.
Joe loved fishing, hunting, and golf. In the Sacramento area, he would often take his boat out on the Delta to fish for sturgeon. He fished for salmon in the Campbell River in Canada and went deep-sea fishing in Mexico.
An avid hunter, he spent time hunting a variety of game in Pennsylvania, Alaska, California, Colorado, and many other places. In Idaho, every year Joe looked forward to the fall deer season and setting up elk camp in the high drive area south of Clark Fork. Joe loved golf, was a true student of the game, and was a natural teacher.
His father Joseph, mother Mildred, sister Dolores, and previous wife Mae preceded Joe in death. He is survived by his wife Linda and her sons Darren and Bryan Rocque; daughter Sherrie Hill of Gettysburg, Pa., grandchildren Tracy, Falon, Billy, and Kevin, and two great-grandchildren; three stepsons Mark, Wayne, and Rick Hirst and their four children. Also surviving are Joe’s brothers Richard (Helen) of Seward, Robert (Louella) of Seward, Pa., Ronald (Sally) of New Florence, Pa., and sisters Shirley (Skip) Clark of New Alexandria, Pa., and Helen (Art) Boring of New Florence, Pa., and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Joe has been called back to his heavenly home and will be greatly missed by his family and friends whom he cherished. The real love of his life was babies; he loved to cradle them on his chest. As strong as he was, Joe was a hugger and a gentle man. He was an avid gardener who liked to share his tomatoes with everyone. Relationships were very important to Joe; he maintained longtime friendships throughout his life. He was a loyal friend and relative who would give you the shirt off his back. His happy-go-lucky attitude and helpful nature will be missed by one and all.
Joe’s last day was glorious. He played golf with his wife and close friends and birdied the 18th hole.
He will be laid to rest in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, near where Joe was born and lived as a child and where most of his family currently resides. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel in Clark Fork, ID (mile marker 54 on Highway 200) on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. Guests are invited to share a light lunch together after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice, or the American Cancer Society.