Arthur Neil Hill

Arthur Neil Hill was born April 7, 1926, in Oklahoma City. He was the son of Alfred Dodge Hill, Sr. and Frances Sorey Hill. Neil left this life on January 26, 2022 at 95 years of age. He died peacefully in his home, with Patricia, his loving wife by his side. Neil graduated from Classen High School and entered the Navy near the end of World War II, serving in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. After the war, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he pledged the Sigma Nu fraternity making many lifelong friends. He later transferred to Oklahoma State University, graduating with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Architecture. While at OSU, attending the Kappa Alpha Theta weekly Dance Hour, Neil met Patricia Antrim. Neil and Pat were married January 28, 1950, their marriage lasting two days short of 72 years. Following graduation, Neil joined his father and Sorey cousins in their family architectural firm, Sorey, Hill and Sorey. While a partner in the firm, Neil oversaw the architectural and mechanical design of the Security Life building in downtown Denver for its owner, J. Walter Duncan, Jr. In the 1970’s, Neil left the firm and joined Walter Duncan in forming Advance Developers Limited and Duncan Properties Ltd., developing multifamily projects in Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Denver, and shopping centers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas and Denver. During his early years in multi-family development, Neil began working with a young Denver architect, George Smith. George worked closely with Neil throughout his years in real estate development, forming a deep friendship that would endure until Neil’s death. In many ways, they grew up in the business together. George recalls their consideration of the first shopping center development opportunity, at which time George informed Neil that he knew nothing about shopping center development. With characteristic candor and confidence, Neil replied, I don’t either. We’ll just figure it out together. And indeed, they did, successfully developing Wal-Mart, Target and Safeway anchored shopping centers in several states. Patrick, Neil and Pat’s son, joined Duncan Properties in 1980. With a light touch, Neil mentored Patrick, sharing his knowledge of the technical aspects of real estate development, but more importantly his gifts of strategic and creative thinking, skillful negotiation, and force of will. All done with humor, fun and never taking oneself too seriously. In the early 90’s, his partnership with Walter Duncan was wound down. With Neil’s investment and guidance, Patrick then followed in Neil’s development footsteps with a Denver partner.

Neil pursued his personal interests with the same degree of tenacity and imagination. Since their initial visit to the Cooper Aerobic Center in Dallas forty-five years ago, Neil and Pat have pursued fitness throughout their lives, running in countless races, bicycling throughout Europe and in China, and lifting weights under the dedicated care of fitness trainer, Scott Frye. Neil snow skied until his late-seventies and continued running through his late-eighties.

Neil is survived by his wife, Patricia, son Patrick and his wife, Barbara and his granddaughter, Laura Jane Hill. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret King and brother, Dodge Hill and his wife, Lori, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Patrick Cameron Hill.

The family wants to express special appreciation for Laura Lynn’s Home Care and its caregivers who have cared for Neil and Pat over the past few years, always with extraordinary love and tender care. Our heartfelt thanks go to Cylandra, Tracy, Joalane, Vitina and Michelle.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 4, 2022, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Chapel, 4400 North Shartel Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Westminster Presbyterian Church.