Ernest James Hill's Obituary
Ernest James Hill, of Lakewood, Washington, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 5, 2024 at the age of 83. He requested that no memorial service be held and that he simply be cremated, and his ashes be interred with his beloved wife, Marion.
Ernest was born May 15, 1941 to Jimmy and Captain Hill in Inkster, Michigan. He spent his childhood surrounded by his siblings Jean, Calvin, Dorothy and his uncles, aunts, and cousins. He left home at 18 to join the Army with the mindset, “I want my own”. Ernest spent time in Germany and Korea during his stint in the Army. In 1967, while stationed at Fort Lewis, he met his future wife Marion A. Hill. They were married, settled down in Lakewood Washington, and spent the next few decades nurturing and raising six kids: Belinda, Sonja, Paul, Gerard, Ernest Jr., and Calvin. Ernest retired from the Army after 20 years of active and reserve service as a Drill Sergeant, and his children’s upbringing reflected it.
Most of Ernest’s employment was spent in the timber industry starting on the humbling green chain and eventually moving up and finishing as a machine operator. He was a well-respected member of a team of rough-and-tumble loggers, or as he would call them, “go head on er mill man.” Ernest spent his last working years as a Pinkerton Security Guard at the Intel facility in Dupont, where he won several service awards and made some great friends.
He enjoyed camping and took his family across the country on many camping trips in his beloved Winnebago. Some of the best times with his family were spent on a campground in one of the 50 states. Ernest and Marion loved entertaining and hosted many a weekend card game with friends, kids, and grandkids. He was a loving and honorable man which made him an easy acquaintance as well as great friend.
Ernest is preceded in death by his wife Marion; children Paul and Belinda; mother Jimmie; father Captain; brother Eugene and sister Dorothy. He is loved and will be greatly missed by his brother Calvin and his surviving family and friends.
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