Twyman "Ty" Hill

Colonel Twyman “Ty” Hill, U.S,M.C. (Ret.) peacefully passed away on January 1, 2011, at age 86, after having spent joyful days over Christmas with both of his daughters, sons-in-law and all four of his grandchildren. Ty was born February 10, 1924 in Denton, Texas to Milton and Ida (Short) Hill. Upon graduation from Denton High School, during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, in which he proudly served for 32 years.

As a young lieutenant, Ty was stationed in Tsingtao, China, where he met the love of his life, Grace McKay, who was a Lieutenant Commander and nurse in the United States Navy. They married in China on July 28, 1948 and shared 52 years of the adventurous life of a Marine family.

Ty served his country in the Korean Conflict, in which he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also served in the Vietnam War, commanding the battalion that protected the air base at DaNang. On January 30, 1968, ignoring his own safety while under intense hostile fire, he rescued two younger, wounded Marines under his command, for which he was awarded the Silver Star for Valor.

Ty and Grace enjoyed the many places where they were stationed, including, among many others, North Carolina, California, Guam, Washington, D.C. and Italy. Ty served as the Fleet Marine Officer for the Sixth Fleet, stationed in Gaeta, Italy from 1969 until 1971, during which time they travelled extensively throughout Europe.

Ty retired from the Marine Corps in 1975, and he and Grace moved to their lovely home in Escondido, California where Ty pursued his lifelong passion of gardening. His oranges, avocados and multitude of other fruits and flowers were unequaled. During “retirement” Ty also became certified as an Enrolled Agent, which permitted him to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. He and a partner developed a very successful tax business, which he enjoyed for many years.

In 1998 Ty and Grace moved to San Angelo, Texas to be closer to their elder daughter when Grace became ill. Ty cared for her tirelessly and lovingly until her death in 2000.

Ty remained active in the events at his home at the Royal Estates and was a member of the Johnson Street Church of Christ, and Kiwanis Club of West Angelo. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Knight, and her husband, Ron Knight, of San Angelo, Texas and Shelley Hill and her husband, Paul Hughes, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; his grandchildren, Jennifer Knight and her husband, Philip Brennan, of Washington, D.C., Vickie Knight, of San Antonio, Texas, Katie Jundt and her husband Jason Jundt, of Portland, Oregon, and Evan Hughes, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; three nieces and one nephew.

Tommy King, minister of Johnson Street Church of Christ, will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 today, January 3rd at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel. As with his wife, his ashes will be spread in the Pacific Ocean later this year.

Family and friends may sign the online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.

Semper Fi, Dad