Colonel Ben Hill

Colonel Ben Hill, 84, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Hill Regional Hospital in Hillsboro. Ben was born July 5, 1920 in Hamlin, Texas the son of Walter H. and Mamie Alderson Hill. In 1927 he moved to San Angelo and to Hillsboro in 1934. Ben graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1938 and later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in political science. In October 1940, he entered military service with the Texas National Guard and served continuously as an Infantryman in all ranks from Private to Colonel during thirty two years of military service. Ben served with the 82nd Airborne Division as a Platoon Leader through four campaigns and one combat jump in Europe during WWII, three campaigns with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team as a Company Commander in Korea, and two campaigns in Vietnam as an Operations Officer at field army level. His decorations include the Silver Star for Gallantry, the Bronze Star for Valor twice, the Legion of Merit twice, the Army Commendation Medal twice, the Purple Heart, the Belgian Fourragere, the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Fifteen Campaign and Service Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge twice, the Master Parachute Badge, the Glider Badge, and the Army General Staff Badge. On January 2, 1943 he married Frances Elaine Harper in Dallas. Following his retirement from the Army in 1972, Ben and his wife owned and operated a small commercial apple and cherry orchard in Berkely Springs, West Virginia for 26 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 60 and Post 34 and Disabled American Veterans both of West Virginia and of the Static Line, an organization of present and former paratroopers. He was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro since April 1999, following his family?s return from West Virginia in March 1999. Preceding him in death were both of his parents; a stepmother; his son, Joe Harper Hill, on January 15, 1989; and three sisters, Virginia Ann Hill, Doris Hill, and Margaret Sloan. He was a loving Grandfather who was devoted to his church and God Survivors include his wife of more than sixty years, Frances Harper Hill of Hillsboro; his daughter, Sue Ponde and husband, Eric, of Hillsboro; a brother, Walter H. Hill, Jr. of Waco; two granddaughters, Carole Neal and husband, Jackie, of Hillsboro and Noelle Hackert and husband, Christopher, of San Antonio; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 263, Hillsboro, TX 76645.