LeRoy Hill

Dr. LeRoy Hill went home to be with his heavenly father on Monday November 25, 2019 while surrounded by family.

Memorial Service to be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji with Pastor Mike Naylor officiating.  Family will greet friends at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home on Monday December 9, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on the 10th at the church. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji.

LeRoy was born November 26, 1924 in Bemidji, MN to William and Myrtle Hill.  He loved his childhood spent in the Puposky area.  Upon graduation from Bemidji High School Leroy enlisted in the US Air Force during World War II where he trained to be a pilot.  When he was honorably discharged from the service, LeRoy attended the Chicago College of Optometry obtaining his degree and then practiced in Bemidji from 1953 to 1990. 

He was united in marriage to Lois Hoiby on August 17, 1949 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bemidji. 

LeRoy found his passion for flying when he learned to fly a P51 in the Air Force, so he joined a club in Bemidji and started flying a small two-seater then moving to a four-seater allowing him to share his passion with his family.

He was very ambitious and full of energy allowing him to join the Bemidji Jaycees followed by a 65-year membership with the Bemidji Lions Club.  As a member of the Lions Club LeRoy held many positions and received several awards and high honors for his service.  LeRoy had many hobbies some of them included, being the Skip for the HING Curling Team, golfing, fishing, hunting, woodworking, and remolding their homes that they moved into as their family grew.  Another one of his favorite things was tending to his large raspberry patch that he started with just a few plants.  He loved sharing the delicious fruit with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Lois (Hoiby) Hill; sister, Gloria Woodard; children, Bonnie (Mike) Miller, Bill (Carol) Hill, Susan (Doug) Cronemiller, Jeanne (Larry) Ells, Lori (Mike) Lauderbaugh, late Kristin (Wayne) Speck, 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one future great-great-grandchild.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, William and Myrtle Hill; sister Delores, brother Russell, Donald, infant daughter Barbara Ann and daughter Kristin; grandchildren Mike and Cody.

Family want to express their heart filled gratitude to Colleen’s Caring Hands for all the tender care and love shown to LeRoy.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Bemidji Lions Club or First Presbyterian Church Bemidji.

Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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