Carl Elmo Hill, 81, a longtime resident of East Wenatchee, passed away peacefully following a brief illness. He was born September 21, 1928, in Melbourne, AR, to Walter and Stella (McDonald) Hill. He was the seventh of nine children. As a young man, he followed his older brothers to the west coast and worked from California to Alaska. By the early 1950's, he had settled in the Columbia Basin and was working as a full time Cement Mason. Carl worked on many of the dams built on the Columbia River and even a major landmark or two, such as the Seattle Space Needle and Grand Coulee Dam. While working on the Hanford Nuclear Site in 1954, he met and married Helen Louise Potter, his wife of 45 years. Carl moved his family to the Wenatchee Valley in the early 1960's, where he built his home and developed his apple orchard. Carl and his wife raised six children on this property, along with freely opening his doors over the years to numerous family members and others in need. Carl was a member of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons since 1951. He then served as Business Agent for many years for Wenatchee Local 449. He also served several years as President of the North Central Washington Building Trades and was instrumental in developing the Building Trades and Trust Committee. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and exploring the Oregon Coast with his children and grandchildren. In recent years, his greatest pleasure came from his trips to Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, searching for long lost relatives and researching his Cherokee heritage. During these trips, he came across an old Army buddy or two, a former school teacher and was surprised while dining in a restaurant by a former old flame. As a testament of his work ethic and determination to not let life get you down or hold you back, his last trip was taken only eight months after a serious accident, where he broke his collarbone and the majority of his ribs. That is the attitude he faced this last hurdle with. He gave it all he could, but when his savior called his name he went home quietly and peacefully. As we mourn the loss of our dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, we rejoice knowing he is at peace, healthy and home.

He is survived by three sons, William C. Hill of Lynnwood, R. Kevin Hill of East Wenatchee and Lloyd W. Hill of East Wenatchee; three daughters, Billie L. Rosebeary of Richland, Daneille A. Mooney of Coeur d' Alene and Carla Battermann of East Wenatchee; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Homer Hill of Madera, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; an infant son; two grandchildren; four brothers; and three sisters.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 22, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at King's Orchard Church of Christ, 1610 Orchard Street, Wenatchee, where Carl was a longtime member. The services will conclude at the church, with Private Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park. Those who wish, may make memorial donations in Carl's name to the Ronald McDonald House or the American Cancer Society. Viewing will be held Thursday, January 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.