William Frank Hill

Bill was born in Manhattan, NY, on March 31, 1938 and grew up in the neighborhood of Morningside Heights (West 118th Street) with his parents (Florence Saleeby Hill and Frederick Hill) and older sister Charlotte. In his baby book it was noted that he, "smiles at everyone…and is so good natured." He grew up surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins eating delicious Lebanese food in a diverse Harlem neighborhood. Bill's deep pleasure as a child was playing games such as stick ball and "off the wall" out on the street with his neighborhood friends. Although his classification as a "genius" in school let him start Stuyvesant High School two years early, he eventually hated the constant academics and graduated from his local Commerce High School. He received his economics and math degree from New York University. In a letter to his grandchildren, Bill wrote that "having natural intelligence is only a small part of success in life. Hard work, persistence, and shooting for goals is far more important."

He lived with his first wife, Ginger Hess, in one of the first integrated projects in Harlem. There, both eldest daughter, Susanne, and son, Bill Jr., were raised until Ginger and Bill divorced in the early 1960s. He met his second wife, Barbara Rodnon, whom he considered the love of his life, while working at the Gilman Paper Company in the Time-Life building. They enjoyed classical music, good food, and dancing together. They married on December 13, 1969 and raised children from both marriages (Barbara's daughter Stacey with Susanne and Bill Jr.) together with daughter, Claudia, born in 1973. In 1969, Bill also started working for the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Bill was a devoted civil servant for the rest of his career, eventually becoming regional director in New York, North Carolina (where he earned the nickname "Billy Bob" by his southern colleagues), and Colorado. He received both Silver and Gold medals for leadership and service—the highest honor granted by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for distinguished and exceptional performance. A life-long champion and friend of working men and women, especially recent immigrants to the U.S. and those who'd been stifled by historical injustices, many staff members over the decades commented to his children that Bill "saved their lives" by encouraging and championing them, as well as ensuring they received the education and training needed to best support their careers and families.

Throughout Bill's life he adored classical music, particularly the work of J.S. Bach as performed by Glenn Gould and Bach's many cantatas. An avid reader, he enjoyed the diaries and stories of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and of his Puritan ancestors. He was known to complete the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle quickly and correctly in pen. A passionate swimmer, Bill swam often at Jones Beach in New York, rowed crew briefly in college, taught his children to play tennis, and, later, in Colorado, became a devoted golfer.

In his Colorado retirement, Bill enjoyed the beautiful mountains with his wife Barbara, his community of the Littleton Newcomers Club, his church, and volunteering in the Denver schools where he delighted children with historical stories of the region. After the death of Barbara, Bill spent his final years in the company of Anne Foster and her family in Colorado and Hawaii.

His great joy in his later years was talking with and receiving visits by his eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren throughout the country.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Frederick Hill, his wife, Barbara Hill, his son Bill, sister Charlotte Lacopo, brother-in-law Mike Lacopo, niece Claudia, and nephew Michael. He is survived by his daughters Susanne Stodghill, Stacey Leo, and Claudia Savage; son-in-law John Savage; grandson Christopher Hill and his son Charlie; grandson Justin Hill and wife Devon; grandson Jason Leo; granddaughter Alexandra Lundquist and her sons Damien and Noah; grandson Ian Stodghill, his wife Emily, and daughters Paisley and Carli Anne; grandson Jesse Stodghill; granddaughter Christina Stodghill; and, granddaughter River Savage.

Bill will be missed and remembered for the generosity he showed to all he met, including friends and family throughout the country.

In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution in Bill's name to either the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/) or the Walk ALS of Greater New York foundation to find a cure for cure for ALS.

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