Obituary for Donald Hile

Ponca City Now - May 1, 2018 9:41 am

Donald Hile

February 8, 1926 – April 30, 2018

Donald Lee Hile died peacefully on Monday, April 30, 2018. A memorial ceremony for Donald will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 led by the Reverend Robert Montgomery. Burial will be in Lincoln, Nebraska at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory in Ponca City.

Don was born in Sprague, Nebraska to George and Minnie Hile on February 8, 1926 where he lived until enlisting in the Navy at age 18. He served honorably in WWII aboard the USS Hadley. He participated in the Battle at Okinawa and earned a Purple Heart for injuries received during the battle.

After his discharge, Don graduated from a Business Administration program offered by the National Business Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska with a degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, he joined Continental Oil Company (Conoco) in their Lincoln, Nebraska Division Accounting Office in 1948. He was transferred to Conoco’s regional office in Kansas City, MO, and then in 1965, to Conoco Headquarters in Ponca City where he worked until his retirement in 1985 with 37 years of service.

Don was married to Shirley Scott, the love of his life, in 1949. They were married for 68 years. Together they had four children – Tom, Jim, Chuck, and Amy. He loved his family and enjoyed getting involved in his children’s sports, music, and scouting activities.

He liked to travel whether it was fishing trips to Minnesota, or trips to Germany and beyond when his son Jim was stationed there in the Army. He and Shirley especially enjoyed the many ship reunions for the USS Hadley held every 2 to 5 years all over the United States. Each of his children attended at least one reunion, which meant a lot to him.

Don designed and constructed major additions to their home. He also enjoyed woodworking and playing golf. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church; serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee. He was also a member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Minnie Hile; four brothers, Leo Hile, Richard Hile, Robert Hile, and Harold Hile, all of Lincoln Nebraska; two sisters, Margaret Nannen of Hallam, Nebraska and Dorothy Schutt of Anchorage, Alaska.

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley Hile of Ponca City; his children Tom Hile and wife, Toni of Tulsa, OK, Jim Hile and wife, Vilma of Reno, NV, Chuck Hile and wife, Michelle of Ramona, CA, and Amy Hile of Bartlesville, OK. He is additionally survived by his grandchildren, Gina Taylor and husband Drew, Angie Hile, Brandon Hile, Mallory Hile, Peter Hile, Donald Hile II, and Monica Hile.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1505 E. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home