Kester Ray "Buck" Hill

After an extended illness, Kester Ray Hill passes away on Thursday October 7, 2021. Affectionately known as "Buck", he was a long time resident of the Girard area. Born, February 26, 1930, in Pekin, Illinois, Buck was the son of Harper Kester and Ethel Brumfield Hill. Raised by his aunt and uncle, Bernard and Wanda Hartman in Auburn, West Virginia, Buck came to Ohio in 1949.

Buck was a 1949 graduate of Harrisville High School, Harrisville, West Virginia and attended Youngstown State University on the GI bill after being honorably discharged in 1954, serving with the United States Navy during the Korean War. Buck was employed at the Ohio Leather Works of Girard, before leaving to become one of the early millwrights hired prior to the opening of the new GM plant in Lordstown. He retired from GM after 30 years of employment.

Buck, along with his wife Patricia, were founding members of the Buckeye Trail Riders, a group that has been together for over 60 years. Camping and trail riding were enjoyed for many years. They also enjoyed square dancing, and were active members of the Steel Valley Squares and the Shenango Valley Sashayers.

During retirement Buck continued to enjoy camping, square dancing and traveling, in addition to bicycling, playing cards, hiking, playing horseshoes and wintering in Naples, Florida. Traveling took Buck and Pat to 48 states including Alaska, Hawaii, and several trips to he western United States.

Buck was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He leaves to honor his memory, his wife Patricia Ann Drevet whom he married on November 24, 1950; four daughters, Deborah Hill (Don Taylor), Judy Hill, Sharon (Lawrence) Schultz and Margaret (Peggy) Hill (Greg Butch), two grandchildren Crystal Link (Jeff Kinnamon) and Kyle Kendall and three great grandchildren Cheyanne and Abby Dellavalle, and Jeffrey Kinnamon, Jr., a sister Margaret Lee Liston and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Aunt and Uncle who raised him and a brother.

A special thanks fro Buck's family to the staff of Buckeye Hospice for the kindness shown and the loving care given to him. His primary nurses/caregivers (both independent and from hospice) were angels in our home.

Calling hours will take place on Tuesday October 12th at Blackstone Funeral Home one hour prior to the service. Services will be held at 1:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Girard City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Buckeye Hospice and Palliative Care 3379 S. Main St. #A& B Mineral Ridge, Ohio 44440.

Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family