Don Kay Hill

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don Ray Hill and Geraldine Ireland Hill; and his brother Hank Hill and his sister Jean Hill. He is survived by his four children: Tara Hill Johnson, Charlotte, NC; Robin Hill Greene, Raleigh, NC; Tamara Hill Pelfrey, Abbeville, SC; Lee Hill, Raleigh NC; sons-in law, Ray Johnson, Wayne Greene, Jack Pelfrey; daughter-in-law, Sarah Hill; Grandchildren: Paige Waller, Elizabeth Lynch, Alex Greene, Nate Leonard, Holly Ouzts, Daniel Leonard and Reece Hill ; Great Grandchildren: Jessica Waller and Mya Ballard, Jason and Sarah Lynch, Cam and Colston Ouzts and a baby boy and baby girl due 2022.

Don was born in Wabash, Indiana on August 18, 1930 and grew up in Akron, Indiana. He was an avid gardener from a young age and worked on his grandparent’s farm milking cows and caring for all farm animals. During high school, he worked in a Kroger grocery store and planned to be a Kroger manager until a recruiter from Presbyterian College offered him a scholarship to play basketball. During his senior year he was coached by “Stormin Norman'' which was Norm Sloan’s first coaching job. Don made the Dean’s list all four years of college and graduated cum laude. After he graduated from PC in 1952, he married Betty Jean Freeland. Two weeks later, he was sent to Korea and served in the Korean War where he joined the 45th Infantry Division as a Lieutenant after serving on the Korean Advisory Board. Years later, Don was offered a position as President of La France Textile Industries near Pendleton, SC, where they settled and raised their three daughters, Tara, Robin, and Tamara.

Don’s second marriage was to Barbara Tyndall in 1977. In 1979 they had a son, Lee. Later Don accepted a job at Valdese Weavers in Valdese, NC and his family relocated to Hickory. Don served as Vice President of Manufacturing at Valdese Weavers and retired at the age of 70 in 2000.

.

Throughout his life he enjoyed gardening, golfing and playing cards with family and friends. Don lived and loved life to the fullest and mentioned this shortly before passing. He stated, “I have had the most fun life, I’ve been to places and seen things that most people have never seen!” His work provided him the opportunity to travel to many countries and every province in Canada which he spoke of often.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory, NC

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Catawba County Humane Society, 3224 20th Ave. SE, Hickory, NC 28602

Condolences may be sent to the Hill family at www.drumfh-hickory.com

Drum Funeral Home of Hickory is honored to be serving the Hill family.