Duran D. C. HILL

HILL, LUICK, OSBORNE, ERICKSON, WOOD, KNAPP, PEYTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/6/2007 at 20:36:01

04/03/2007

Duran D.C. "Hootch" Hill, 89, Belmond, died Friday, March 30, 2007 at the Belmond Health Care Center. He donated his body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for scientific purposes. No funeral service will be held. His family is planning a wake to celebrate his life on April 14 at his home, 503 3rd Ave. N.E. in the afternoon and evening (further details announced next week).

Duran was born August 31, 1917 in Belmond, the son of Arthur W. and Edith B. (Luick) Hill. He graduated from the Belmond schools. From a very young age he had a desire to fly and worked in exchange for flying lessons. He became a service and flight inspector prior to enlisting in the Army Airforce in 1943, serving until 1946. Duran married Marie Osborne of Centralia, IL in 1946 and they returned to Belmond where he worked at the General Mills plant for several years. He installed floor coverings for family and friends until it became his full time trade. Then he worked for Winnebago Industries until he retired. Duran enjoyed music, dancing and playing the drums. He was a member of Bob and the Raiders Band and sat in with others whenever there was an opportunity. He loved his family and looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as he always had an imaginary tale to tell them. Airplanes continued to be his favorite pastime; owning, flying, building, and restoring several until recently. He was an active young member of the Civil Air Patrol and later the EAA, Chapter 94 and Chapter 13 Antique Classics, traveling to Oshkosh annually. He volunteered his time and knowledge to the Young Eagles Program.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters Muriel and Norma Jean; half-brothers Clair and Raymond; and former wife Marie. He is survived by daughter Jorja (Jim) Erickson of Clarion; son Bruce (Tina) Hill of Manly; grandchildren Jimi (Lindsay) Hill of Springfield, MO, Neil Wood (and friend Kris) of Des Moines; Ryan (Jodi) Wood of Ankeny; Dante (Jennifer) Hill of Portland, OR; and Amber (Travis) Knapp, Ciara Hill, Trenton Hill (and friend Marissa) all of Manly; eight great grandchildren; and special friend and companion Lena Peyton of Belmond.

©Belmond Independent 2007