Leo Hill

Colonel Leo Hill (U.S. Army, Retired), age 91, husband of Barbara Hill, died on Sunday, June 23, 2024. He was a son of the late Adra and Edna Felker Hill, from the Quinn Community of Caldwell County, Kentucky. In addition to his parents, three of his five siblings predeceased him.

Leo served with the U.S. Army’s Far East Command, then returned to Kentucky to graduate from Murray State University in 1959. He also graduated from the Kentucky Energy Management School at the University of Nebraska, the United States Army War College, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He worked for Inter-County RECC (now Inter-County Energy) in Danville for over 42 years, serving as its CEO for the nine years before he retired. In addition to his civilian career, he was also a U.S. Army Reservist for over 41 years. As a reservist, he was recalled to active service in 1961, at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. There, he trained young soldiers, many of whom served in Vietnam. Leo’s military service was unquestionably the high point of his life and a source of many lifelong friends and cherished memories. He was proud to have served his country. Leo was active in civic and community organizations for most of his life, including the Danville Chamber of Commerce, the University of Kentucky Youth Services, the Danville Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity, and others. He was sociable and outgoing, loved people, and was always willing to help others. Leo’s civic contributions included serving as President of the Danville/Boyle County University of Kentucky Extension Services Youth Programs, President of the Danville and Boyle County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Kentucky and Boyle County American Free Enterprise System Programs, President of the Kentucky Cooperatives Member Services Association, President of the Danville Kiwanis Club, Lieutenant Governor for Kentucky/Tennessee District 13 Kiwanis, and committee memberships for numerous Kentucky Energy and East Kentucky Power communities. He was a skilled and meticulous craftsman who could repair or refurbish almost anything, always to the most exacting and durable standards. He had a penchant for detail, and whatever he did, he did well.

Leo is survived by his wife Barbara, their daughter, Debra (Tom Brown) of Woodford County, and granddaughter Sara Hadley (Yoni Goldstein) of Chicago, as well as Leo’s sister Shirley Cunningham of Hopkinsville, and brother Lewis Edwin Hill (Marge) of Caldwell County, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. Stith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial service will be held at 12pm, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church with visitation from 11 am to noon, the hour prior to the service.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.