Bennie Edward Hill

Bennie E. Hill was born Dec. 27, 1942, at High Springs, Fla., to Wallace E. Hill and Ethyleene (Knight) Hill, and slipped into the presence of his Lord Jesus on Monday, June 8, 2015, at NCMC. Bennie was raised on a farm, learning his work ethic in tobacco and watermelon fields. He loved the simple life of family, friends, music and all activities that come with living near animals and rivers in the woods of Florida. Fletcher Springs held many memories of cooling off after hot days. He attended school in Branford, Fla., graduating from Branford High School in 1961. He worked briefly for Southern Airlines and later as an iron worker in Atlanta, Ga.

In 1971, Bennie went into what would be his life career in the trucking industry starting at Brown Transportation in Atlanta as a local driver, dock supervisor, and later a terminal manager in New Jersey. In 1987, he went to work as a truck driver for Trux USA, which was the Atlanta terminal of Steinbecker Bros. Inc. out of Greeley. Bennie came to Greeley the next year when Trux USA closed its doors, and he drove for Steinbecker Brothers, Inc. for a period of time where he met his future wife, Glenda, who he married June 23, 1990.

In 1988, Bennie contracted a truck lease/purchase with Monfort Transportation. He came off the road in 1990 when he was offered the position of driver recruiter for Monfort. He was named safety director for Monfort Transportation in 1991, a position he held for nine years. Under his leadership in safety, Monfort was awarded several state and national awards. As a personal accomplishment, Bennie was awarded Safety Director of the Year in 1995 by the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the same year the National Motor Carriers Association awarded Monfort Transportation the second place safety award for over 40 million miles per year. Bennie left Monfort Transportation in 1999 after the company was sold to become a field recruiter for Interstate Distributor Co. out of Tacoma, Wash., for nine years. He retired from IDC in 2008. However, when JBS Carriers started their trucking company in Greeley later in 2008, Bennie decided to come out of retirement and worked as a driver recruiter and later safety director, retiring permanently in November 2010.

Over the years, Bennie and Glenda shared many wonderful trips with each other and with other family members. A favorite was the trip he and Glenda made to Israel in 2007. Other activities he enjoyed were fishing and boating, cheering for the Broncos, a little golf, traveling through the Colorado mountains, walking and putting together difficult puzzles. Bennie enjoyed southern gospel music and often played along with his guitar or mandolin. He loved precious times shared with his children, grandchildren and his playful Shih Tzu, Mandi. He attended Journey Christian Church in Greeley.

Bennie is survived by his wife, Glenda; a daughter, Michelle (Bill) Crumbley of Atlanta, Ga.; a stepson, Larry (Lori) Steinbecker, Jr.; a stepdaughter; Shelly (Matt) McCarty; grandchildren, Josh, Ariel and Ian Steinbecker, all of Greeley; brothers, Elmo (Pat) Hill of Petersburg, Ind., and Dennis Hill of Conyers, Ga.; sister, Linda Gail Thomas of Lake City, Fla.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bennie is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Caitlin Michelle Crumbley; and a brother-in-law, Winton Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Bennie’s memory.

Viewing is from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, followed with services at 11 a.m., both at Journey Christian Church, 4754 31st St. Greeley.