Ronald R. Hill, 81, died Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, at his home. Born Nov. 10, 1937, in Dunbar Township, Pa., he was the son of the late John and Martha Hill of Terra Alta.
His passion for flying led him to a life-long career in aviation. He started as a helicopter mechanic in Englewood, Calif. He then went to work for Sikorsky Helicopter in Bridgeport, Conn., where he worked on the very first Sikorsky helicopter ever built (called Sikorsky 1). He then moved to Williamstown, W.Va., where he worked as a fixed wing and helicopter mechanic for the U.S. Army National Guard out of Parkersburg, and also earned his fixed wing flying license on the side. While a mechanic for the Army National Guard, he attended U.S. Army Helicopter Flight School in Texas and Alabama and earned his helicopter rating. He then flew as a corporate fixed wing airplane pilot for the State of West Virginia and the Governor of West
Virginia.
Accepting a position with Tennessee Gas Pipeline, he moved to Mt. Sterling, Ky., where he flew pipeline patrol in a helicopter for 26 years, including 2 ½ years in Houston, Texas, as the senior corporate pilot for Tenneco. After returning to Kentucky from Texas, he again flew pipeline patrol and he and wife Polly founded Kentucky Airmotive, Inc. — the Fixed Base Operator at the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Airport. As he flew the gas lines for Tennessee Gas Pipeline, Polly ran the airport business until he retired from Tennessee Gas in 1994. In 2000, he and Polly retired from Kentucky Airmotive, Inc. He served as airport manager and was a consultant to the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Airport Board.
He loved to fly, build and re-build airplanes. His passion for flying led to a lifetime career in aviation which he passed to his two sons. He was active in the lives of his three children throughout their childhood and adult lives. He led by example, teaching his children that honesty and integrity should encompass every decision both personally and professionally. Respect for others and treating everyone the same is what made him a successful father and businessman.
Other interests included hunting and golfing, but nothing gave him greater joy than seeing his children — Rodney, Becky and Danny — happy and successful. He was proud of his grandchildren and took pleasure in watching his great-grandchildren begin their journey in life. His legacy will live on through the lessons he taught them and the example he set for them.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Polly Hill, of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; three children, Rodney Hill (Georgia), of Tequesta, Fla., Becky Staton (Randy), of Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Danny Hill (Lisa), of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; five grandchildren, Dane Hill, of Walton, Ky., Layne Hill-Harkness (Devin), of Jupiter, Fla,, Zane Hill, of Tequesta, Fla., Jacob Hill, of Alma, Mich., and Zachary Hill, of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; three great-grandchildren, Lucas and Henry Harkness, of Jupiter, Fla., and Huxley Hill, of Tequesta, Fla.; three brothers, John Hill (Carolyn), of Oakland, Md., Rick Hill (BJ), of Clarksburg, and David Hill (Doris), of North Ridgeville, Ohio; several nephews and nieces; a special cousin Pat DeLauder (Shelia), of Terra Alta, and several cousins from across the country and in Scotland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the EAA Chapter 1227 – Young Eagle Program, 700 Airport Road, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 or to the Mt. Sterling First Church of God, 1051 Camargo Road, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.
Service will be conducted at Taul Funeral Home, Mt. Sterling, Ky., at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, with Pastor Frank Curtis officiating. Friends and family may visit at the Taul Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling, Ky., from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. Graveside service and burial will be in the Terra Alta Cemetery, Terra Alta, W.Va. at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, with the Rev. Ernie Metheny officiating.
Pallbearers will be Dane Hill, Zane Hill, Jacob Hill, Zachary Hill, Jeff Hill, Randy Staton, Gary Cockrell and Mark Farris.
Condolences:
www.arthurwrightfuneralhome.com
