Albert Edward Hill

Albert “Al” Hill was born on May 28, 1921, ten miles south of Caldwell in a tent to Sylvester and Maggie Hill. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth (Nelson) Hill and his son, David Hill. He was also preceded in death by his siblings: Edna, Jesse, Alma, Alice, Eunice, Bobby and Ana Mae. Al is survived by his sister, Betty Cress of Qoquille, OR, daughter Ellie Hill and son-in-law Ernie Etchechoury of Kuna, ID, granddaughter Jenny Hill of Seattle, WA, grandson Erik Hill and granddaughter-in-law Onalee Hill of Weippe, ID, his great grandchildren: Paris Brower, Savannah Hill, Sebastian Pollick, Harrison Hill, Henry Hill, Imre Pollick, Holly Hill, and two great-great grandsons, Bruce Brower and Colter Hamrick.
In 1926, Al traveled to Parsons, Kansas with his family to work on a cattle ranch. They traveled back to Idaho in the fall to top onion crops since these were the only jobs that were available. Al entered school for one month in Parsons, KS and when they moved back to Caldwell, ID he started school at Washington School. He continued his schooling as the Great Depression hit in 1930. He joined the Rifle Guard in 1930 and finished the 7th grade in 1932. That was the lade grade that Al completed in school (he instilled in all of us the importance of school and how lucky we were to be able to attend). Al began working in hay fields from 1932-1936. He went to work for John W. Smeed from 1938-1941. He married Ruth M. Nelson of Boone, Iowa July 9, 1941. They moved to Portland, OR to find work. They lasted a very short time picking cranberries in a cranberry bog. Worked at Portland Gas in 1942. Went to work at Electromat in St. Johns, OR until 1945. When Al was drafted in 1945, he, Ruth, and Dave traveled to Camp Pendleton in CA. Al served in WWII in Guam and China. He was honorably discharged in August of 1946.
Al, Ruth and Dave moved back to Idaho after the war. Al went to Idaho City to trap with his sister and brother-in-law Edna and Les Jackson. They then moved to Nampa, ID in July of 1947 when their second child Eloise (Ellie) was born. Al went to work as an electrician at Amalgamated Sugar and retired after 35 years in 1982. When working at the sugar plant, he was doing rodeo, calf roping and racing horses. He worked at Harco Ranch with their race horses until late in the 60s until 1971 when his son Dave bought a horse ranch in Kuna—and they moved on to the farm together and started breeding, training, and racing their own horses until the early 1990s. Al lived on the farm until his death with his daughter and son in law living in the house next door. He loved to dance and he loved music and to laugh. June Pollock and Al danced for the last 9 years together. He was happy to have found a new dance partner. He leaves behind as many friends as family.
   

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