Oliver King Hill

Tinker was born on September 26, 1932 in Hare, TX to Odest Gideon Hill and Artie Irene Bailey Hill. While he was born in Hare, TX, he grew up in Austin and nearby Bastrop, TX where he returned to live in the autumn years of his life.

Tinker was proud to serve his country and joined the United States Marine Corps on May 24, 1950 at the age of 17. He served on the front line during the Korean War and earned several medals including the Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal w/ 1 star, and a United Nations Service Medal. He retired with an honorable discharge after a war injury of shrapnel to his left shoulder, which left him with a reminder of the cost of freedom. However, he was never bitter or sullen, but instead could be always be found with a smile on his face and words of encouragement for those around him.

Tinker met his wife, Isabelle Jeanne Horne, while in the hospital in Oak Knoll, CA. They were married on April 20, 1952 in Alameda, CA. And then he moved his bride 1754 miles away, back to his home in Austin, TX where they lived and raised their children. During their 38 years of marriage, he held several jobs, but always provided well for his family.

He was in the moving business, the assistant food administrator for Seton Hospital, Warehouse manager for Ace Drugs, and then a traveling salesman for Eagle Tackle and Schoelkopf Sporting Goods. In sales he met and became lifelong friends with his sales partner, Virgle Branton. He is still remembered fondly by his many customers across several southern states. His magnetic personality drew people to him and his sense of humor kept them entertained and endeared to him.

After the death of his wife, Jeanne, he met Lona Fay Trott, who became his second wife. They expanded their family by 4 paws, adopting a sheltie they named Lady. She became his pride and joy and was faithfully by his side until the end. Tinker and Lona lived in Bastrop, where he served his community by hosting Neighborhood Night Out meetings and assisted with establishing the first Citizens on Patrol for Bastrop County. He participated in patrolling neighborhoods and assisting with traffic control at accident sites, allowing the Highway Patrol to focus on the accident victims. There was never an end to his giving spirit and generosity of time for his friends and family.

In his last years, he devoted himself to spending time with his children. He was able to work with his son, Mike, and proudly committed a year of his life to help him open and establish his business, Hill Truck and Auto. He worked in the office and ran parts, as needed. He was and still is the one and only “Employee of the Month”. And although he “retired”, from his daily commitment, his pride in his son and their enjoyment of one another would not let him stay away. He could often be found at “his desk” in the shop, working crossword puzzles, drinking coffee and bringing a smile to all who entered. He again, developed friendships with the customers and was often the subject of discussion following inquiries concerning his health and whereabouts.

Tinker also had an interest in antiques. He would polish, sand, glue and paint so that he could resale his finds to earn cash just to buy more. He shared this interest with his daughters, Kathy and Denise, who were immediately hooked. He generously shared his business with them and they became a team. The three of them could be found on weekends at yard or estate sales adding to their already overflowing inventory of antique furniture and other vintage items. Many wonderful and unforgettable hours were shared on their adventures, where once again Tinker made friends everywhere they went. His daughters will carry on his love of the find, but will never be able to fill his shoes.

Tinker is survived by his three children, Kathy Ramos, Denise Glaze (David), Mike Hill (Lynn), as well as his precious shelty, Lady.

Grandchildren; Amanda Apperley (Mike), Spencer Glaze, Melissa Merritt (Drew), Lindsey Glaze, Crystal Muller (Landon), Stephanie Casto (Adam), Sterling Glaze, Brittany Gonzalez (Rene) and Brandi Aderhold. Great-Grandchildren: Matthew Glaze, Madeleine Apperley, Hollie Simpson, Holden Apperley, Jordan Merritt, Callie and Evan Casto, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Isabelle Jeanne Horne, second wife, Lona Fay Trott, his parents Odest Gideon Hill and Artie Irene Bailey Hill, his sisters Dorothy Laurene Montgomery and Alice Jean Bruder, his brother Odest Gideon “Sonny” Hill Jr. and his son-in-law Daniel Ramos Jr.

Funeral services for Tinker are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, TX with Dr. Kevin B. Hull officiating. Burial and Committal Service with Military Honors will follow in the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville.

Serving as pallbearers will be Spencer Glaze, Sterling Glaze, Mike Apperley, Ian Nelson, Adam Casto and Drew Merritt. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Glaze and Holden Apperley.