Woodrow Woodie Hill

Woodrow (Woodie) Hill, age 91, passed away on November 11, 2010. Woodie was born on September 27, 1919 in Bonne Terre, Missouri to the late Commodore Perry and Lydia Hill. One of seven children, he grew up with three brothers, Eugene, Commodore Perry, Jr., and Lloyd James; and with three sisters, Nellie, Nadine, and Berdine. Woodie graduated from Bonne Terre High School in 1937. It was there that he met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Catherine Gidley. They were married on June 26, 1943 and spent 64 wonderful years together. Mrs. Hill (Betty) preceded Woodie in death and died October 27, 2007. Woodie was a veteran of World War II. He served in the United States Merchant Marines, which provided logistical supplies to our war fighters in all major theatres of the war. Woodie began his service as a junior engineer on SS Joe E. Brown and concluded his service at the end of the war on the S.S. Golden Fleece. Woodie served on ships, which sailed in the North Atlantic, the Pacific, the Mediterranean, and Philippine Sea. Merchant ships were viewed as prime targets for enemy bombers and German U-boats. During Mr. Hills various roles as an engineer, machinist, and manager, Woodie worked for the Busch-Sultzer Diesel Company in St. Louis, for the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois, and for Missouri-Illinois Railroad. Prior to his retirement in May of 1981, Woodie spent over twenty-three years working for the Ferguson Machine company in St. Louis. He served as Plant Manager managing a three shift operation which employed over three hundred skilled machinists and other tradesmen in an industrial plant.Mr. Hill was a member of St. Josephs parish in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Both he and his wife, Betty, supported its numerous Church activities. Woodie was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a past Grand Knight of the religious organization. In May of1981, Woodie and Betty, a Kindergarten teacher, retired within thirty days of each other. During his retirement Woodie enjoyed traveling, working on his cars, biking, reading, gardening, bird watching and visiting with numerous friends and relatives. Woodie resided at St. Joe Manor in Bonne Terre, Missouri at the time of his death. He is survived by his two sons, Richard (Dick) and Philip (Phil); his daughter-in-laws, Laurie and Lynn; his seven grandchildren, Jamie, Denise (Mrs. Alex Haire), Felicia (Mrs. Kyle Ostrom), Richard, Mark, Anna, and Stephen; and four great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Lana, Isabelle, and Chase.Family will receive friends during the visitation from 5 until 8 PM on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Bonne Terre. The Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Bonne Terre at 11 AM on Monday. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Service ScheduleVisitation:Date:Sunday, November 14, 2010Time:5:00 PM - 9:00 PMVisitation Location:C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home * Bonne Terre Service:Date:Monday, November 15, 2010Time:11:00 AMService Location:C. Z. Boyer & Son Chapel * Bonne Terre