James Arthur General Hill

General James A. Hill, USAF Retired, devoted husband of Jeffie Roach Hill, a man of keen intellect, indomitable will, tremendous strength of character, great sense of humor and an avid golfer died Friday, October 1, 2010 at Air Force Village II after a long battle with myelodysplastic syndrome MDS.

He was born on October 22, 1923 in Lancaster, Ohio. Orphaned when he was twelve, he worked his way through St. Mary's High School and was working his way through Ohio State University when WWII began.

He immediately enlisted in the Army as a private, eventually became an aviation cadet and earned his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in February 1944. Stationed in England flying the B-24 Liberator, he flew his combat quota of missions and volunteered to fly an extra one so that he could fly with his original crew on their last mission typically putting their welfare above his own. He volunteered and was on his way to the Pacific in B-29's when the war ended. His flying career was marked by his passionate desire to be where the action was, volunteering for the Berlin Airlift and flying the C-54 Skymaster, next for the Korean conflict flying combat support missions in the C-119. He flew Viet Nam combat support missions from Hawaii and Travis AFB. He commanded at all levels, squadron, wing and was commander of Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii before becoming Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force in 1978. His extensive staff experience included two tours at the Military Airlift Command and three at the Air Staff in the Pentagon.

He retired in 1980, after thirty seven years of service and in 1981 joined Bell Aerospace Services, Inc., Bedford, Texas, as Vice President. There he was instrumental in the development of the V-22 Osprey. He left Bell in 1983 and Jeffie moved to San Antonio, Texas. He served on the Board of Directors of the Kelly Field Bank and was a long-time member of Oak Hills Country Club. He was a man of great intellect and integrity who was dedicated to the USAF and the national security of our country. He enjoyed a wonderful sense of humor, a championship golf game, reading and promoting air power. His friends were many and they were life-long.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jeffie; brother, Ed of Ohio; his granddaughter, Rene, and great-grandson, Jesse of Fort Worth, Texas.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 13, 2010

10:00 A.M.

AIR FORCE VILLAGE II

HIGH FLIGHT CHAPEL

5100 JOHN D. RYAN BLVD

Interment at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, his request was that donations be made to the First Tee or to any candidate for public office who promotes conservative, mainstream American values.