Kenneth Hill

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Kenneth Hill, 79, of Olive Branch died at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at Marion VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois, on his late son Kent's birthday.

He was born on February 8, 1936, in Du Quoin, Illinois, the son of Marion Fred and Sarah Vernettie (Franklin) Hill. He married Deanna Pecord on Jan. 16, 1960.

Kenneth served with Strategic Air Command in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960. He owned and operated the John Deere Dealership in LaCenter, Kentucky, into the mid-1980s. Kenneth was a graduate of SIUC with a bachelor's degree in zoology but loved the implement business. He had a passion for archaeology and initiated the dig near Olive Branch. He was also very instrumental in the Lewis and Clark anniversary celebration in Alexander County, Illinois. He was an avid hunter and started guiding at age 15, when he became a guide for Pecord Hunting club, where he met Deanna. He was also a huge Cardinals fan.

Survivors include his wife, Deanna Hill of Olive Branch; son Mark (Geinger) Hill of Franklin, Tennessee; grandsons, Jacob and Ethan; sister, Hazel West of Carbondale; father-in-law, Milton Pecord; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen Jo and Bobby Jones; nieces and nephews, Matt, Nathan, Amanda, Ashley, Carol and Sherri; great-nieces; great-nephews; and many other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Kent Michael Hill on March 15, 1990; and sister, Reba Counce.

Visitation for Kenneth Hill will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

Funeral services will follow the visitation at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Buckles and the Rev. Verlee Eaker officiating. Interment will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Olive Branch Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, visit crainsonline.com.