Memorial services for Ernest “Ernie” Francis Hill Jr. will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 14, at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Davenport. Family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to services. A private family inurnment will be at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal.
Ernest passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Silvercrest Garner, Davenport.
He was born on August 13, 1926 in Sigourney, IA, the son of Ernest Sr. and Gladys (Bales) Hill. He married Lois Jean Zuber on June 1, 1947. Ernest was a career firefighter, retiring in 1981 as Division Chief from the Davenport Fire Department.
He enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.
Dedicated to his career, he served as president of the Davenport Firefighters Association and was honored as President Emeritus of the Iowa Firefighters Association. He was a delegate to the Quad Cities Federation of Labor and inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Ernest had an affinity for gardening and was active with the Friends of Vander Veer, Master Gardeners and Horticulture organizations.
He was an avid track and field enthusiast and supported his love of the sport by officiating Davenport high school and U of I track meets.
Those left to honor his memory are children: Ernest Hill III, Waterloo; Lucinda “Cindy” Hill, Sterling, IL; Vernon (Ann) Hill, Stillwater, MN; Sandra Hill, Pt. Pleasant, NJ; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Jack (Susan) Hill.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years; parents; grandson, Andrew Hill-Knight; and siblings James Hill and Betty Cox.
Memorials may be directed to St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church or Friends of Vander Veer.
Online condolences may be expressed through Weerts Funeral Home www.weertsfh.com
