James Robert “Jim” Hill passed away on July 26, 2020 as the result of a heart attack at the age of 92.
He was born on Nov. 18, 1927 in Payette, Idaho to Joseph Walter Hill of Midvale, Idaho and Mary Ellen Smoyer of Lebanon, Pa.
Jim married the true love of his life, Doloris Virginia “Dee” Doggett on May 8, 1949 in Weiser, Idaho. Jim and Dee had one son, Daniel J. Hill.
Jim attended and graduated high school in Midvale, Idaho, joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and saw service in Korea. After he returned home, his uncle Jim Dunham of Pendleton introduced him to another Jim Hill, manager of Pendleton Grain Growers. Jim became a PGG employee for decades, moving from the Pendleton shop to Feedville at Hermiston and retiring as the elevator manager, shipping grain on the Columbia River, after being the longest term employee of the company.
Jim enjoyed water skiing, hunting, fishing and camping, though mostly just time with Dee. He was an exceptional millwright, electrician, mechanic and builder, and was able to fix just about anything. He was a respected supervisor among the people he worked with, and enjoyed the team effort. He was an exceptionally good person.
Jim is survived by his son, Dan, his wife Mollie Croisan and granddaughter Mackenzie Hill; nephew, Walter Hill; sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Junior Keithley; and numerous nieces and nephews from Ruell and Hilda Doggett and the Keithleys.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dee on Dec. 15, 2016 and his brother, Rollin on Oct. 14, 1996.
A private burial will take place in Midvale, Idaho.
Any donations in Jim’s name should be made to the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Jim with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
