Wilton Edwin Hille

The Rev. Wilton E. Hille of Spokane entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at 89 years of age. Will was born to police officer Edwin and homemaker Ella Hille on New Year’s Eve, 1933, and raised on their farm in Westlake, Ohio. More interested in cars and girls than growing grapes, Will attended Concordia Junior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, then Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Illinois. On his first day he met the love of his life, Carolyn “Sue” Theiss, and they became the first couple at the school to kiss onstage when cast together as leads in a musical. In 1956 they were married in San Mateo, California, near her home.

Will served as a teacher and principal in Denver, where their daughter Kim was born in 1957. The next year they moved to rural Terra Bella, California, where their son Dale was born, but soon after to urban San Francisco, where sons Kirk and Duane were born. After completing a Master’s in Education at San Francisco State, Will served as a Director of Christian Education in Sheboygan, WI. From there he felt called to attend Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL. His first pastorate was in Streator, IL, where he also obtained a private pilot’s license. In 1979 he was called to St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown Spokane, where he served nearly 20 years as pastor.

In retirement, Will volunteered at the East Central Cop Shop and served on the board of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. He continued to enjoy building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, driving his classic Mercedes convertible, and puttering in the shop of his geodesic dome home. Will is survived by his wife, Sue Hille, children Kim (Alan) Davis of Richardson, TX, Dale (Paula) Hille of Yakima, WA, Kirk (René) Hille of McCall, ID, and Duane (Miriam) Hille of Spokane, as well as 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Will touched countless lives as a teacher, principal, pastor, parent, grandparent, friend, and neighbor. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev. 14:13)

If you would like to honor the memory of Will in lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to: Grace Giving International / Uganda Pastor’s Fund – PO Box 31525, Spokane, WA 99223.

Service will be held on May 20th at 2:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3606 S Schafer Rd, Spokane Valley, WA, reception to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Hille family.