Obituary of Alfred H. Hill, Jr

September 25, 1943 – November 18, 2023

Alfred Humphrey Hill, Jr., 80, gently relocated from Sheridan, Wyoming, to his Heavenly home on Friday morning, 7:05 a.m., October 20, 2023. His wife, Barbara, his Priest, Kevin Jones, and his best friend, Mike Zimmerman were with him in Room 104 of the Sheridan Memorial Hospital as he released his spirit to his Heavenly Father and quietly breathed his last breath on Earth in Barbara’s embrace.  He valiantly fought the good fight of a soldier of the Cross and a spiritual Watchman right up to and including the evening of his “going on ahead”, as his oldest son, Evan, describes leaving Earth for our eternal Heavenly destination.

Alfred, aka “Red”, was born on September 25^th, 1943, at Randolph Field (now Randolph Air Force Base) San Antonio, Texas, where his father, Dr. Alfred H. Hill (Sr.) had been called to active duty to be an instructor in Neurology and Psychiatry at the School of Aviation Medicine. His father retired from that duty as an Air Force Major.  Alfred’s mother, Janet Cory, nicknamed their son “Red” early in his life because of his copper-colored red hair. The nickname stuck with him throughout his life until just a few years ago when his wife began to call him by his God-given name, Alfred.

“Red” grew up in San Antonio, Texas.  He attended a special school in San Antonio during his elementary grades where he learned to read by a method that helped him overcome a learning difficulty that was later identified as dyslexia.  He graduated from Alamo Heights High School in May of 1961.  During the summer months, teenaged “Red” and his two teenaged brothers, Rusty and Robby, would work on the family’s small ranch (digging a lot of post holes with what Alfred called a Texas Toothpick), located north of San Antonio, seven miles west of Mountain Home.

“Red” served his country in the U.S. Sixth Army from 1963 - 1966 during which time he served a tour of duty in Korea. He was transferred to USAR control Group (Reinforcement) USAAC, Ft. Lewis, Washington.  He achieved the rank of SP4 (T) E-4 and received the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged from active service from Ft. Lewis , Sept. 16, 1963.  Alfred married JoAnne Miller on Aug. 15, 1970. They were blessed with three children: Evan Alfred, Rachel Lizetta and Scot Alfred.  Sadly, that marriage ended 22 years later.

Like many well-known dyslexic men, his I.Q. proved to be an extraordinary gift during his career.  He earned a BBA, University of Texas (Austin) 1968; a 2^nd Major in Accounting, Univ. of Montana (Missoula) 1972.  He attended Regent College (Seminary) Vancouver, Canada 1993-1994.  Beginning in 1972 Alfred achieved Certifications as a CPA, a Chartered Financial Consultant and Registered Investment Advisor.  He taught many courses for CPAs for Continuing Ed Requirements and Lawyers dealing with Estate and Trusts. His articles were published in Professional Journals. His extraordinary acumen and financial industry accomplishments are recorded in Marquis Who's Who In Finance and Industry - 1987-1988, 25th Edition (pub. 1987), 1989-1990, 26th Edition (pub. 1989)

He met Barbara, his present wife, in 1992 in San Antonio, TX, at St. George Episcopal Church, where he was invited to join a small group for Bible Study and fellowship in the home of a church member. After a two-year friendship and courtship, they were married on July 28, 1994 in the Prayer Chapel of the United Methodist Church, Alamo Heights, Texas, which had been the family’s church for many years. Alfred’s Mother, Janet, and his brother Robby and wife, Diane, were present as witnesses.  The Soloist, Carolyn Hyde, sang an original song she had written for their wedding using verses from the Song of Solomon. (Some of its verses are included under a photo in this Obituary.)  By marriage to Barbara, Alfred suddenly had four “bonus” grown married children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren!

Following prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, Alfred and Barbara moved from San Antonio to Sheridan in the fall of 1994. They became very active in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. They rented a lovely small home on West Works St., where they lived until 2000. From there they lived in Buena Vista, CO; Arlee, MT (where Alfred qualified as a Reserve Deputy, Lake County); Two Rivers, AK; Williamstown, PA; and in 2010, returned to Sheridan, WY.  The years between 2000 and 2010 were filled with Christian adventures and Kingdom-centered ministries. Upon returning to Sheridan, they reunited with their Christian brethren in the newly formed Grace Anglican Church with Kevin Jones as their Priest.

Alfred’s avocations were hunting, guiding hunters, and leading trail rides on horseback. He loved hiking and camping in the mountains of Alaska, Montana and Wyoming. He served four years as a Scoutmaster.  He was a member of Rotary. He was honored with an Outstanding Service Award by the Kiwanis. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and volunteered at the Sheridan Gun Club to train women on the use of small arms. He became a Stephen Minister, (a Christian ministry to hurting people through one-on-one active listening and prayer.)  He volunteered delivering Meals-On-Wheels from the Sheridan Senior Center (now The Hub) for several years. He became very active within the Republican Party of Sheridan County and elsewhere in Wyoming. He volunteered in the non-profit Hunting With Heroes program in arranging elk, deer and antelope hunts at no charge for disabled Vets in Wyoming.  After he became 100% disabled himself, he was the recipient of a no-charge hunt through that very organization.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 29 years, Barbara; brothers Rusty (Russell) and Robby (Rowland) Hill; three children – Evan (Haley), Rachel (Joseph), and Scot; four granddaughters – Piadora, Tahlullah, Ailsabella and Takara.

Alfred was preceded in death by his father, Alfred H. Hill, Sr; his mother, Janet nee Cory Hill; and a sister, Sarah Elizabeth Hill.

A celebration of life with Military Honors will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Grace Anglican Church with Kevin Jones officiating. A reception will follow at the church with light refreshments. Champion Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.

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