Thomas Arthur Hill's Obituary
Thomas (Tom) Arthur Hill, 93, of Tacoma, WA, passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center on February 2, 2022. Tom was born on October 11,1928 in Bristow, Oklahoma to William T Hill & Myrtle, the 7th of 11 children. In high school, Tom was a standout football player & he would carry the love of football & sports throughout his life. After high school Tom served in the National Guard for 3 years. In 1953 Tom moved to Tacoma, with 2 of his brothers who were serving in the military. He attended Temple Baptist church & was the choir director for the youth group. It was there that he met Barbara Bennett, the choir pianist, who became the love of his life. They married in October of 1954 & had two daughters, Linda & Dianne. They moved from Tacoma to Seattle where Tom attended the University of Washington in pursuit of a law degree. Due to the growing needs of the family, he changed course & completed a business degree at a local vocational school. He was the branch Manager of Carnation Company in Tacoma and then Seattle. Tom then went into business for himself and was the owner of Hilco Sales Inc., a successful dairy and vending brokerage firm. In 1998 Tom and Barb together began their retirement years. The family loved going to Ocean Shores where they bought property, first tent camping and eventually building a cabin on the Grand Canal. They traveled to Ocean Shores most weekends, where they enjoyed golfing, digging clams, boating, swimming & welcoming family and friends. Tom and Barbara loved the warm sunshine and in 1995 they sold the Ocean Shores cabin & became snowbirds. They bought a second home in Sun City, AZ where they both enjoyed golfing, spring training, trips to Mexico and entertaining family and friends for the next 20 years. Tom was an avid Oklahoma Sooners, Seahawk and Mariner fan throughout his life and he passed the love of Seattle sports on to kids and beyond. Tom is preceded in death by Barbara, his loving wife of 67 years, a sister, his parents & 6 brothers. He is survived by 2 sisters, Pauline & Mary, 2 daughters, Linda
Charles (Algona, WA) and Dianne Hill (Aberdeen, WA); 3 granddaughters, Jamie & Jessica Hulet and Kasie Charles, 3 great grandchildren, Harper, Carly and Jesse, and many nieces and nephews, cousins & in-laws. Tom remained strong in his Christian faith throughout his life & attended church up until weeks before his passing. Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, good & faithful servant." We'll see you on the other side!! Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery in Tacoma. A celebration of life for Tom & Barbara will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 1:00 – 3:00 at Brookdale Greens, 13702 20th Avenue E., Tacoma, WA 98445.
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