He was born in Crossville, Tennessee on September 29, 1935 the son of the late Lloyd Walter and Katie Maxwell Hill.
Graduated from Crossville High School in 1954 and went on to enlist in the United States Army serving in the Korean Conflict followed by the Vietnam War. While serving he worked for the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI). His ability to read, write, and translate the Korean language gave him an advantage in breaking codes.
His career exploits included an assignment that took him to Hokkaido, Japan where he was part of a team of individuals responsible for monitoring Sputnik, the 1st Russian artificial earth satellite. In 1962 National Geographic magazine featured an article on his role working with the South Vietnamese military. In all his combined service to his country in the United States Army and United States Air Force comprised over 25 years.
He went on to work for the Colorado State Patrol in communications. In 1993 he was asked to be a part of the security detail for Pope John Paul II. He continued to serve in the community as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Lamar, Colorado.
In the year 2000 Bill and Reiko moved to Bath, Maine to assist his daughter & son in law with raising the grandchildren. He was an active member of the Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist Church. He enjoyed biking, running, bowling with his wife, exercise at the gym, playing cards and especially spending time with family and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Reiko Hill of Bath, his daughter, Diana Main and her husband Kent of Auburn, his son, Dan Hill of Clermont, FL., his brother, Jack Hill and his wife Mae of Mt. Juliet, TN, his sister, Dorothy Farley and her husband Gene of Nashville, TN, 3 grandchildren; Kaleb Main, Joshua Main and Kirsten Main and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist Church in Woolwich. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. Burial with full military honors will be held at Maine Veteran’s Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta on Monday, April 9th at 12:00.
Memorial contributions will be given to Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist Church, 15 Fellowship Drive, Woolwich, 04579.
Condolences may be made online at www.DaigleFuneralHome.com.
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