Hilbert "Hill" Leonard Schlecht passed onto the other side on Friday, July 28, 2006, following a prolonged illness. Hill was born at the family farmhouse in Gackle, North Dakota, on September 24, 1926.
He left high school during World War II to join the Navy. Hill was stationed onboard the USS Vella Gulf, and he was very proud of the fact that he was part of the escort ships of the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo Harbor.
After the war, he returned to North Dakota. He was working in Enderlin, at his brother Matt's auto shop when he met and married his wife, Phyllis (Fraedrich). They have been married for 58 years. In 1951, the two loaded up their car with their son, Delynn, and all their belongings and moved to Everett. A couple of months later their daughter, Gwendolyn, was born.
Hill was an auto mechanic most of his life. He worked for over 34 years for Follestad Rambler, now called Rodland Toyota. He was a member of the Machinist Union and a lifetime member of the Everett VFW Post #2100. He was also a member of the American Legion, Eagles, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Hill was the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters and leaves behind his sister, Elsie (Harry) Weir-Dodd, and his brother, Arthur (Tekla). He also leaves behind his loving wife, Phyllis; son, Delynn; and daughter Gwendolyn (Sidney) Danforth. His grandchildren are Russell (Ana Marie), Rachel (Dennis) Diede, Ryan (Holly) Schlecht. He was blessed with six great-grandchildren, Anna, Grace, and Claire Diede, children of Rachel and Dennis Diede, Gabe and Christian Schlecht, children of Ryan and Holly Schlecht, and Julia Schlecht, child of Russell and Ana Marie Schlecht.
Visitation will be from 12 - 5 pm, August 1, 2006, and a celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm on August 2, 2006, at Purdy & Walters with Cassidy.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jul. 29 to Aug. 1, 2006.