Stan Hill

Former Long Beach resident Stanley R. "Stan" Hill, 71, died May 4, 2007 in Yuma, Arizona where he had resided the past year. The son of Raymond and Ida (Hendrickson) Hill, he was born October 5, 1935 in Astoria. His father was a logger and the family lived in Seaside, Oregon and Naselle, Washington before settling in Long Beach. Stan attended Ilwaco High School where he played football, graduating in 1953. While still in high school he began working for Willard Monnes at the Long Beach Chevron station, and thus began his career. He later purchased that station and also the Chevron station in Ilwaco, retiring in 1995 after a career which spanned 43 years. When Stan began working in Long Beach the fire hall was just across the street. The allure of the siren attracted Stan and as soon as he turned 21 he joined the Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Stan served for over 35 years as a volunteer, including stints as chief and fire marshal. Stan was very proud of his service and often commented on how much he enjoyed the comradery and helping people. Stan also was one of the original emergency medical technicians in Long Beach. Stan was a former member of Long Beach Elks 1937 and the Long Beach Lions club. A member of the Catholic faith, he attended St. Mary's Parish in Seaview and later St. Lawrence Parish in Raymond. He enjoyed reading, especially World War II history and the original journals of Lewis & Clark. He took pride in his rose garden, his years of community service, and having provided employment to many area youth at his service stations. Stan married Marcia Nordquist in 1966 in Winlock, Washington. They later divorced and in 1983 he married Mary Beth Warner. She survives, living in Yuma. Stan had moved to Menlo, Washington from Long Beach in 1995 and just last year had moved to Yuma. Besides his wife, Stan is survived by daughter Kristin Hill of Las Vegas, Nevada; son Kenneth Hill of Seattle, WA; step-daughters Deborah Wilbur of Yuma, AZ, Susan Dishongh of Carlsbad, CA and Terri Bluce of Skamania, WA; brothers John Hill of Shelton, WA and James Hill of Long Beach; 6 step-grandchildren and 1 step great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his son Jay Raymond Hill who died in 1989. Scriptural communion service will be held Saturday, May 12, 2007, 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview. A luncheon reception follows. Those wishing may make memorials to the Long Beach Fire Department, PO Box 310, Long Beach, WA 98631. Remembrances and condolences may be sent to Mary Beth Hill in care of Emerald Springs, 1475 S. 46th Ave. #127, Yuma, Arizona 85364. Arrangements are by Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach, WA.