W. Ronald Ron? Hill passed away early Wednesday morning, September 27, 2006 in Midland, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 29, 2006 at the First Methodist Church in Midland with Rev. John Rech, officiating. Visitation will be from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Thursday, September 28, 2006 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel, 3800 N. Big Spring Street in Midland. A private internment was held at Resthaven Memorial Park. Ron is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife of fifty-four years, Darlene Steele Hill, and his children, Pebble Winters and husband Glenn, and RocC Semmelbeck and husband Mark all of Midland; grandchildren Katie Stepp and husband Patrick of Dallas, Sara Hartsfield Valadez, Rachel Hartsfield, Ashley Winters, Sharee Semmelbeck, and Christopher Semmelbeck, all of Midland; and great granddaughter Matilyn Valadez, also of Midland. Ron was born in Newton, Kansas to Wilbur and Sylvia Hill, September 4, 1924 and attended public schools there, graduating in 1942. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad Company prior to entering the Air Force in February of 1943. As a sergeant, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in the Pacific theater of the war and was ultimately appointed to Warrant Officer at AAF headquarters in Hawaii working directly with the Commanding General. Ron attended and graduated from Kansas University in Lawrence with a B.S. in Business Administration, and Santa Fes Institute of Business Economics at USC. He was a charter member of KUs Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, an organization he remained affiliated with throughout his life. He resumed his career with the Santa Fe Railroad, which spanned some forty-five years, starting as a bill and voucher clerk and rising through the operating department secretarial ranks until being named Secretary to the President in Chicago in 1959. He was named Transportation Inspector at Wellington, Kansas three years later and General Transportation Inspector in Amarillo in 1964. He was promoted to Assistant Office Manager in 1966, Office Manager in 1968, and Assistant to the General Manager, a role he maintained until 1977. At that time he was named Vice President, Santa Fe Land Improvement Company and General Manager of Real Estate and Industrial Development for the Santa Fe Railway Company in Los Angeles. He was later moved to Chicago as Assistant Vice President of Personnel and Labor Relations until his retirement in 1986. Ron and Darlene then returned to Amarillo, Texas, where he accepted a position with the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. They recently relocated to Midland to be closer to family. Ron was an active member of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo. During his years in Amarillo he participated in a number of organizations, serving terms as President of YMCA Board of Directors, President of the Amarillo Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and was a tireless advocate of United Way of Amarillo. He was a long time Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow in that organization. Ron was an avid tennis player and golfer, and served on the board of the Amarillo Country Club. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed his time with family and friends. Rons unassuming, generous nature, contagious smile, and witty sense of humor will be greatly missed, but we rejoice in the assurance of his eternal life. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 4400 N. Big Spring Street, Suite C32, Midland, TX 79705, Paramount Baptist Church of Amarillo Building Fund, 3801 S. Western, Amarillo, TX 79109 or your favorite charity.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
