May 22, 1937 - February 7, 2019
William Gordon Hills died on February 7, 2019 in Cranbrook, BC, at the age of 81.
Bill was born May 22, 1937 in Creston, BC to Ed and Nila Hills, the third of their 14 children. He grew up in Creston and spent his younger years working in the family taxi and trucking businesses. In 1953 he moved to Calgary, where he completed his apprenticeship in sheet metal. In 1959 he went to Hawaii and began his long academic career. He earned five university degrees, culminating in a Ph.D. in public administration.
Bill taught at universities in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, San Francisco and South Dakota before returning to Canada in 1980 and founding a wholesale archery and hunting supply business in Cranbrook. Bill never lost his interest in public policy. Over the years he wrote dozens of letters to the editor, made presentations to almost every legislative committee that came to town, and in 2004 set up his website, GreaterBC.com.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jean Samis of Cranbrook; children Baden (Julie) Hills of Harrisville, Utah; Gordon (Hang) Hills of Annandale, Virginia; Haunani (Scott) Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada; and stepsons Aaron (Sheri) Levisay and Benjamin (Krista) Levisay of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is also survived by his 13 siblings: Vern Hills, Larry Hills, Edward Hills, Don (Dorothy) Hills, Richard (Arlene) Hills, Tom (Kathy) Hills and Bob (Clare) Hills of Creston; Ken Hills and Neil (Julie) Hills of Cranbrook; Rock (Laurie) Hills of Quesnel; June Potulicki of Trail; Betty (Russ) Trenaman of Penticton; and Penny (Dale) Kearns of Surrey as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, first wife Katherine Hills and sisters-in-law Beverley Hills and Juanita Hills.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cranbrook on Saturday March 30, 2019 at 10:30 am MDT. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Creston.
Donations may be made to the Salvation Army, for whom Bill served as a Christmas kettle volunteer for many years.
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.
Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com.
Service Details
10:30 AM