Harold K. "Bud" Hill

Harold K. "Bud" Hill, age 84, proprietor of McKinley & Hill Antiques, died at his home June 29, 2013 from COPD. He was born June 18, 1929 in Clifton, Texas to Hectar Reeder and Francis Bradstreet Hill. After arriving in Colorado, Bud worked at Denver Equipment Company, where he was employed as an accountant for 12 years.

During this career at Denver Equipment Company, Bud developed his interest in art glass, which soon included plans to do his first antique show. The family was wary and did not encourage him to make a business of his hobby. This show, however, was a wild success and the family became enthusiastic supporters.

Bud and his partner Hogue McKinley continued to do antique shows and Bud's business sense guided them to always be on the ground floor and have the first booth. During this time, from his home in Wheat Ridge on Saulsbury St., they also propogated iris and actually created their own strains.

When Bud bought a larger home in 1960, the current home of McKinley & Hill Antiques, he began to sell art glass from their living room. By this time he was an art glass dealer known nationally as The Studio of Victorian Art. The shop became a social hub for friends and collectors who dropped by to talk and learn about antiques. It was open until 6:00 p.m. and many people timed their visits at 5:00 p.m. to coincide with the shop's sherry hour.

Following the first trip abroad, the complexion of the shop changed to include furniture, with eighteenth century English furniture becoming a specialty. Regular trips to England were followed with the delivery of wooden containers on a flat bed unloaded in the driveway by crane, and soon it was time to build an addition.

The addition was a massive undertaking and included the use of 100,000 antique bricks salvaged from buildings in LODO. A customer in the trucking business delivered the travertine marble from Mexico that was laid on a wall in a herringbone pattern from the 18' ceiling to the 10' depth of the indoor pool. Following this addition the home/shop became the setting for many festive parties.

Bud Hill's love of gardening accelerated in later years, and landscaped the store with rhododendrons, japanese maples and boxwood of which he was very proud. He worked hard to maintain good relationships with other dealers and develop a community. He was highly respected for his honesty, keen eye and overwhelming breadth of knowledge that he shared freely. His associate and dear friend Marc Hansen managed the store and the internet business during the final 15 years of a business that spanned 53 years and was known nationally and internationally as one of the finest in the country.

Bud is survived by his beloved nieces, Marsha Ecklund and Lesa Hill, nephew, Jerry Hill and grand-nephew, Bryan Cole Hill and many devoted friends.

Harold K. "Bud" Hill will be greatly missed!

The memorial service wil be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18th Olinger Crown Hill, 29th and Wadsworth.

Memorial contributions may be considered to PeopleFirst Hospice, 3501 W 23rd Ave, Denver 80211.