Kenneth Hill

<p class="p1">Kenneth Hill, 79, of Olive Branch, died at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at the Marion VA Medical Center on his late son Kent's birthday.</p><p class="p1">He was born on Feb. 8, 1936, in Du Quoin, the son of Marion Fred and Sarah Vernettie Franklin Hill.</p><p class="p1">He married Deanna Pecord on Jan. 16, 1960.</p><p class="p1">He served with the Strategic Air Command in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960. He owned and operated the John Deere dealership in LaCenter, Kentucky, into the mid 1980s. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor's degree in zoology, but loved the implement business.</p><p class="p1">He had a passion for archaeology and initiated the dig near Olive Branch. He was also very instrumental in the Lewis & Clark anniversary celebration in Alexander County. He was an avid hunter and started guiding at age 15, when he became a guide for Pecord Hunting Club, where he met Deanna. He was also a huge Cardinals fan.</p><p class="p1">Survivors include his wife, Deanna Hill of Olive Branch; a son, Mark (Geinger) Hill of Franklin, Tennessee; grandsons Jacob and Ethan; a sister, Hazel West of Carbondale; his father-in-law, Milton Pecord; a sister-in-law and brother-inlaw, Helen Jo and Bobby Jones; nieces and nephews Matt, Nathan, Amanda, Ashley, Carol and Sherri; great-nieces, great-nephews and many other relatives.</p><p class="p1">He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kent Michael Hill, on March 15, 1990; and a sister, Reba Counce.</p><p class="p1">Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with the Rev. Larry Buckles and the Rev. Verlee Eaker officiating. Interment was in Olive Branch Cemetery.</p><p class="p1">Memorials can be made to the Olive Branch Cemetery.</p><p class="p1">To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.</p><p class="p1">Crain Funeral Home in Tamms was in charge of arrangements.</p>

Kenneth Hill