Rochelle "Rocky" Walter Hill

   Rochelle "Rocky" Walter Hill, 75, of Danville, passed away on March 05, 2023 after a long illness. Rochelle was born on September 25, 1947 to Walter and Mary Louise Hill in Grand Forks, ND.

   After graduating from high school in 1965, Rocky attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where he majored in Economics and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1969. While attending UND he was in the Army ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. While in the Army ROTC, he attended Army Signal Corp School and Army Medical Corp School. He was the training officer for the 311th Medical Clearing Co. in Grand Forks, ND. He attained the rank of Captain and served in the Army Reserves for ten years. Rocky was also a student teacher in the Economics Master Degree program from 1969 to 1971.

   Rocky’s first job was working at his Uncle George Allard’s jewelry store when he was nine years old. He started out cleaning floors and cleaning the glass in the showcases. After a few months, he was given the job of taking watches apart and he was eventually promoted to cleaning watches. He worked for his uncle for 12 years, and said it was the best job he ever had.

   The majority of Rocky's professional career was in hospital administration in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Illinois. Rocky wrote the grant for St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND to secure funding for a cancer center, which eventually resulted in the establishment of the Roger Maris Cancer Center. Even though he was retired, Rocky’s love for learning led him to enroll at Eastern Illinois University to pursue another Bachelor’s Degree in education. Rocky worked for District 118 Schools up until the time of his illness. He also served for several years as chairman of First Illinois Credit Union board of directors and as President of the American Red Cross in Danville.

   In 1968, he married Susan Anderson. To this union two children were born; Kelly and Corey. In 1981 he married Shirley Satter at her parents home in Pelican Rapids, MN. They have one daughter; Ashley. Rocky loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

   Rocky was a man of many talents. He was an amazing woodworker and made many fine pieces of furniture. He was a drummer and he played everyday. He paid for most of his college expenses by playing in bands. Rocky also loved sewing, a skill that he was required to learn when he worked for Singer. Some of his favorite projects included making beautiful quilts (especially piece quilting), dress shirts, and little Christmas elves. He also enjoyed photography, archery, biking, and crafting with his Cricut machine.

   Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; his sister: Yvonne Dow; brothers: Malcolm and Garth Robson; his mother and father in-law: Arnold and Edna Satter; and Les, Judy, and Jean Satter; Sandra and Charles Kirchenwitz; and Rod Hovden.  Rocky is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children: Kelly Hill, Corey (Judita) Hill, and Ashley (Jarrod) Troxel; grandchildren: Austin, Brandon, Alexis, Ryan, and Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews.

   Funeral services will be at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street in Danville on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Ed Stone officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Messages and memories for the family may be left on our website at www.krugercoanpape.com or on the Kruger Funeral Home Facebook page.

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