William O. "Bill" Hill Jr. |
William O. Hill, Jr., 86, of Harbor Creek, Pa., was honorably discharged into the next life on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the VA Hospital in Erie. He was born on November 12, 1923 in Erie, Pa. to the late William O. Hill, Sr. and Lucy (Owens) Hill. Bill was a graduate of East High School and volunteered for the U.S. Army upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was initially trained as a combat engineer at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and also successfully completed engineer officer training. Bill was then deployed to North Africa where he and his men successfully fought the famous German "Afrika Korps." Following combat against Germany, Bill volunteered for a secret mission (code name Galahad) and unknowingly became a "Merrill's Marauder" in the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 2nd BN, I & Plt., BCT under Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill. This special unit was the first U.S. Infantry unit to fight the Japanese in the China-Burma-India Theatre and Bill repeatedly distinguished himself in combat. The Merrill's Marauders were the predecessors to all modern day U.S. Army Rangers and Special Warfare. Following WW II, Bill returned to the U.S. where he taught Guerilla Warfare and worked counter-intelligence throughout the U.S. and Europe during the "denazification" of Germany and start of the Cold War. As the Korean War broke out, Bill again entered combat as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (Airborne). During WW II and the Korean War, Bill was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star (with cluster), three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), WW II Medal, Army of the Occupation of Germany Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 Battle Stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, and Chinese Freedom Medal. Bill was also awarded Master Parachute Wings and a Combat Infantrymen's Badge (Three Awards), as well as several Presidential Unit Citations. Following the Korean War, Bill returned to the U.S. and eventually pursued a successful political career in Erie County Government. Bill was a progressive leader as a County Commissioner, serving from 1963-1978. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of many county programs, including GECAC, Erie County MH/MR, Rape Crisis, and the Public Defender's Office. Bill fought vigorously to stop pollution in Lake Erie and was also the PA State Fish Commissioner for Region I. He was the President of the Erie County Prison Board and worked with the World Health Organization throughout his career. He was a member of the first Erie County Council and finished his career serving as the Director of Veteran's Affairs. Bill was adopted by the Seneca Nation of Indians in 1964, and maintained life memberships in the Burma Star Assn., Combat Infantrymen's Assn., U.S. Army Ranger Assn., Special Operations Assn. (SOA), Special Forces Assn., Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Carl Neff Post #571, VFW Post 4789, Chapel of the Four Chaplains, U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Lorraine E. (Alm) Hill; son, Joseph A. Hill; grandson, SSgt. William J. Hill, U.S. Army; grandson, Joseph A. Hill, Jr.; and granddaughter, Toni Lynn Hill. Survivors include son, William W. Hill, and wife, Diane, of Kane, Pa.; daughter, Sue A. Vrenna, and husband, Jack, of Lawrence Park, Pa.; son, Robert W. Hill, and wife, Ruth, of Corry, Pa.; son, Roger L. Hill, and wife, Georgia, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; son, Michael T. Hill, and wife, Debbie, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family. Friends may call at G. R. Bailey Funeral Home, 4396 Iroquois Ave., Lawrence Park on Thursday, August 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Chaplain U.S. Navy Commander Bruce Anderson officiating and public interment immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Veteran's Administration Hospital Hospice, 135 E. 38th St., Erie, PA 16504.
Published in the Erie Times-News on August 4, 2010
William O. Hill, Jr., 86, of Harbor Creek, Pa., was honorably discharged into the next life on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the VA Hospital in Erie. He was born on November 12, 1923 in Erie, Pa. to the late William O. Hill, Sr. and Lucy (Owens) Hill. Bill was a graduate of East High School and volunteered for the U.S. Army upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was initially trained as a combat engineer at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and also successfully completed engineer officer training. Bill was then deployed to North Africa where he and his men successfully fought the famous German "Afrika Korps." Following combat against Germany, Bill volunteered for a secret mission (code name Galahad) and unknowingly became a "Merrill's Marauder" in the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 2nd BN, I & Plt., BCT under Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill. This special unit was the first U.S. Infantry unit to fight the Japanese in the China-Burma-India Theatre and Bill repeatedly distinguished himself in combat. The Merrill's Marauders were the predecessors to all modern day U.S. Army Rangers and Special Warfare. Following WW II, Bill returned to the U.S. where he taught Guerilla Warfare and worked counter-intelligence throughout the U.S. and Europe during the "denazification" of Germany and start of the Cold War. As the Korean War broke out, Bill again entered combat as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (Airborne). During WW II and the Korean War, Bill was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star (with cluster), three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), WW II Medal, Army of the Occupation of Germany Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 Battle Stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, and Chinese Freedom Medal. Bill was also awarded Master Parachute Wings and a Combat Infantrymen's Badge (Three Awards), as well as several Presidential Unit Citations. Following the Korean War, Bill returned to the U.S. and eventually pursued a successful political career in Erie County Government. Bill was a progressive leader as a County Commissioner, serving from 1963-1978. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of many county programs, including GECAC, Erie County MH/MR, Rape Crisis, and the Public Defender's Office. Bill fought vigorously to stop pollution in Lake Erie and was also the PA State Fish Commissioner for Region I. He was the President of the Erie County Prison Board and worked with the World Health Organization throughout his career. He was a member of the first Erie County Council and finished his career serving as the Director of Veteran's Affairs. Bill was adopted by the Seneca Nation of Indians in 1964, and maintained life memberships in the Burma Star Assn., Combat Infantrymen's Assn., U.S. Army Ranger Assn., Special Operations Assn. (SOA), Special Forces Assn., Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Carl Neff Post #571, VFW Post 4789, Chapel of the Four Chaplains, U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Lorraine E. (Alm) Hill; son, Joseph A. Hill; grandson, SSgt. William J. Hill, U.S. Army; grandson, Joseph A. Hill, Jr.; and granddaughter, Toni Lynn Hill. Survivors include son, William W. Hill, and wife, Diane, of Kane, Pa.; daughter, Sue A. Vrenna, and husband, Jack, of Lawrence Park, Pa.; son, Robert W. Hill, and wife, Ruth, of Corry, Pa.; son, Roger L. Hill, and wife, Georgia, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; son, Michael T. Hill, and wife, Debbie, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family. Friends may call at G. R. Bailey Funeral Home, 4396 Iroquois Ave., Lawrence Park on Thursday, August 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Chaplain U.S. Navy Commander Bruce Anderson officiating and public interment immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Veteran's Administration Hospital Hospice, 135 E. 38th St., Erie, PA 16504.
Published in the Erie Times-News on August 4, 2010
William O. "Bill" Hill Jr. |
William O. Hill, Jr., 86, of Harbor Creek, Pa., was honorably discharged into the next life on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the VA Hospital in Erie. He was born on November 12, 1923 in Erie, Pa. to the late William O. Hill, Sr. and Lucy (Owens) Hill. Bill was a graduate of East High School and volunteered for the U.S. Army upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was initially trained as a combat engineer at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and also successfully completed engineer officer training. Bill was then deployed to North Africa where he and his men successfully fought the famous German "Afrika Korps." Following combat against Germany, Bill volunteered for a secret mission (code name Galahad) and unknowingly became a "Merrill's Marauder" in the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 2nd BN, I & Plt., BCT under Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill. This special unit was the first U.S. Infantry unit to fight the Japanese in the China-Burma-India Theatre and Bill repeatedly distinguished himself in combat. The Merrill's Marauders were the predecessors to all modern day U.S. Army Rangers and Special Warfare. Following WW II, Bill returned to the U.S. where he taught Guerilla Warfare and worked counter-intelligence throughout the U.S. and Europe during the "denazification" of Germany and start of the Cold War. As the Korean War broke out, Bill again entered combat as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (Airborne). During WW II and the Korean War, Bill was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star (with cluster), three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), WW II Medal, Army of the Occupation of Germany Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 Battle Stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, and Chinese Freedom Medal. Bill was also awarded Master Parachute Wings and a Combat Infantrymen's Badge (Three Awards), as well as several Presidential Unit Citations. Following the Korean War, Bill returned to the U.S. and eventually pursued a successful political career in Erie County Government. Bill was a progressive leader as a County Commissioner, serving from 1963-1978. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of many county programs, including GECAC, Erie County MH/MR, Rape Crisis, and the Public Defender's Office. Bill fought vigorously to stop pollution in Lake Erie and was also the PA State Fish Commissioner for Region I. He was the President of the Erie County Prison Board and worked with the World Health Organization throughout his career. He was a member of the first Erie County Council and finished his career serving as the Director of Veteran's Affairs. Bill was adopted by the Seneca Nation of Indians in 1964, and maintained life memberships in the Burma Star Assn., Combat Infantrymen's Assn., U.S. Army Ranger Assn., Special Operations Assn. (SOA), Special Forces Assn., Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Carl Neff Post #571, VFW Post 4789, Chapel of the Four Chaplains, U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Lorraine E. (Alm) Hill; son, Joseph A. Hill; grandson, SSgt. William J. Hill, U.S. Army; grandson, Joseph A. Hill, Jr.; and granddaughter, Toni Lynn Hill. Survivors include son, William W. Hill, and wife, Diane, of Kane, Pa.; daughter, Sue A. Vrenna, and husband, Jack, of Lawrence Park, Pa.; son, Robert W. Hill, and wife, Ruth, of Corry, Pa.; son, Roger L. Hill, and wife, Georgia, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; son, Michael T. Hill, and wife, Debbie, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family. Friends may call at G. R. Bailey Funeral Home, 4396 Iroquois Ave., Lawrence Park on Thursday, August 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Chaplain U.S. Navy Commander Bruce Anderson officiating and public interment immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Veteran's Administration Hospital Hospice, 135 E. 38th St., Erie, PA 16504.
Published in the Erie Times-News on August 4, 2010
William O. Hill, Jr., 86, of Harbor Creek, Pa., was honorably discharged into the next life on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the VA Hospital in Erie. He was born on November 12, 1923 in Erie, Pa. to the late William O. Hill, Sr. and Lucy (Owens) Hill. Bill was a graduate of East High School and volunteered for the U.S. Army upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was initially trained as a combat engineer at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and also successfully completed engineer officer training. Bill was then deployed to North Africa where he and his men successfully fought the famous German "Afrika Korps." Following combat against Germany, Bill volunteered for a secret mission (code name Galahad) and unknowingly became a "Merrill's Marauder" in the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 2nd BN, I & Plt., BCT under Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill. This special unit was the first U.S. Infantry unit to fight the Japanese in the China-Burma-India Theatre and Bill repeatedly distinguished himself in combat. The Merrill's Marauders were the predecessors to all modern day U.S. Army Rangers and Special Warfare. Following WW II, Bill returned to the U.S. where he taught Guerilla Warfare and worked counter-intelligence throughout the U.S. and Europe during the "denazification" of Germany and start of the Cold War. As the Korean War broke out, Bill again entered combat as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (Airborne). During WW II and the Korean War, Bill was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star (with cluster), three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 Battle Stars), WW II Medal, Army of the Occupation of Germany Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 Battle Stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, and Chinese Freedom Medal. Bill was also awarded Master Parachute Wings and a Combat Infantrymen's Badge (Three Awards), as well as several Presidential Unit Citations. Following the Korean War, Bill returned to the U.S. and eventually pursued a successful political career in Erie County Government. Bill was a progressive leader as a County Commissioner, serving from 1963-1978. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the establishment of many county programs, including GECAC, Erie County MH/MR, Rape Crisis, and the Public Defender's Office. Bill fought vigorously to stop pollution in Lake Erie and was also the PA State Fish Commissioner for Region I. He was the President of the Erie County Prison Board and worked with the World Health Organization throughout his career. He was a member of the first Erie County Council and finished his career serving as the Director of Veteran's Affairs. Bill was adopted by the Seneca Nation of Indians in 1964, and maintained life memberships in the Burma Star Assn., Combat Infantrymen's Assn., U.S. Army Ranger Assn., Special Operations Assn. (SOA), Special Forces Assn., Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Carl Neff Post #571, VFW Post 4789, Chapel of the Four Chaplains, U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Lorraine E. (Alm) Hill; son, Joseph A. Hill; grandson, SSgt. William J. Hill, U.S. Army; grandson, Joseph A. Hill, Jr.; and granddaughter, Toni Lynn Hill. Survivors include son, William W. Hill, and wife, Diane, of Kane, Pa.; daughter, Sue A. Vrenna, and husband, Jack, of Lawrence Park, Pa.; son, Robert W. Hill, and wife, Ruth, of Corry, Pa.; son, Roger L. Hill, and wife, Georgia, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; son, Michael T. Hill, and wife, Debbie, of Harbor Creek, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family. Friends may call at G. R. Bailey Funeral Home, 4396 Iroquois Ave., Lawrence Park on Thursday, August 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Chaplain U.S. Navy Commander Bruce Anderson officiating and public interment immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Veteran's Administration Hospital Hospice, 135 E. 38th St., Erie, PA 16504.
Published in the Erie Times-News on August 4, 2010
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