Kenneth Eugene Hill

Ken was born to his parents, Willie J and Vera Estelle Hill including a 5 year older brother Bill. When World War 2 started, Willie moved to California working in the shipyards in Richmond, where his family soon followed. Later, Vera and Bill were also employed in the shipyards. While there, his brother Bill married Dorothy Hall. With his parents and brother working, young Ken learned the value of a hard days work by securing a newspaper route and shining shoes for servicemen and other patrons on the streets in Richmond. When the shipyards closed, the entire family moved back to Arkansas for about a year but while at dinner one evening, the family decided they wanted to move back to California. Bill and Dorothy to Bakersfield while Willie, Vera and Ken settled in Orosi. Ken attended Orosi High School playing basketball and was a member of the school band through his senior year and graduated. After graduation, Ken decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. While serving a tour of duty at Empire Air Station near Traverse City Michigan, Ken met a girl and started dating Patsy Marilyn Brown. After dating a while, Ken received orders to move to California. Before leaving, Ken and Pasty married. In 1952 while stationed at McClellan AFB, they met Victor and Joan Peterson becoming close friends. Ken chose to retire after 22 years of service. After retiring, Ken worked for Burroughs Computer Corporation for 8 years. Ken and Patsy decided to open a convenience store, deli and gas station in South Sacramento for approx. 10 years. Upon selling the business, they moved to Sutter Creek CA purchasing a 2 Story house, which they remodeled to open a bakery called Fat Pats which also served breakfast and lunch. After operating business for 8 years, Pasty became ill and requiring treatment so they moved to Citrus Heights, Patsy passed away shortly after moving. In the process of informing her best friend Joan, who was alone, of Patsy’s passing, Ken and Joan began talking about old times and consoling each other. Continuing talks and going to lunch, Joan asked if Ken would attend church services at St. James Episcopal Church, which he said yes. After approximately 1 year, they decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and were married April 5, 2009. Together just short of 14 years Ken passed away on February 5, 2023. Preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Vera, brother Bill (Dorothy), and 1 st wife of almost 56 years, Patsy. Ken is survived by his wife Joan, sons Daniel and David (Leonida), 9 grandchildren Sarah, Joshua (Shelby), Jason (Amy), Beth (Phillip), Trevor, Jacob (Carli), Kirsten (Zachary), Nathan (Heather), Travis (Anjel) and 10 great grandchildren.

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