James attended Pond Creek Oklahoma schools and graduated from Pond Creek High School in 1950. He was drafted into the Army but chose to enlist in the US Air Force, where he served as a tail gunner on a B-36 bomber. His service took him to Fort Travis in California and Guam. After his military service, James began a career at Boeing, later moving to Lear Jet. He experienced layoffs but returned to Boeing, and eventually retired from Lear Jet.
On June 23, 1957, James married Dorothy Lea Evans at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Winfield, Kansas. Together, they welcomed two children, Diana Lynn, born on April 11, 1958, and Mark Alan, born on November 10, 1960.
James had a passion for hunting pheasant and quail and cherished his time at Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. He enjoyed raising birds, including pheasant, quail, partridge, ducks, and turkeys. Additionally, he was a lifelong fan of the Oklahoma Sooners football teams.
James is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lea Evans Hill, his daughter, Diana Lynn Hill, his son, Mark Alan Hill, and his granddaughter, Brandi Jo Hill Bennett and her husband Clint. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Georgette, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard Henry Hill, his mother, Eulalah Vashito Starr, and his sisters, Georgia May Hill, Virgie Hill Wilson, Cleo Hill Dowell, and Marie Hill Fetters. His beloved pets, Scotty, Cuddles, and Jitters, also preceded him in death.
A visitation will be held at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209, on February 20, 2026, from at 2:00 p.m.
The funeral service will follow at the same location on February 20, 2026, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
A committal service will also take place at Resthaven Mortuary in the Garden of Freedom following services on February 21, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, Kansas, 67202, or online at hynesmemorial.org/donate.
