Eddie Ray Hill was born May 21, 1945, in Tulsa, OK to Elijah and Alma Hill.  He entered eternal rest with his family by his side.  As a child, Ed attended the Ideal Elementary School and Edna Elementary before finishing his education as a graduate of Labette County High School, formerly known as Labette County Community High School.in the class of 1963.  He received his formal education from LCHS as a machinist in the Vo-tech program.  Ed used this education to serve as a pivotal engineer and designer of the soft serve ice cream dispensing machine and the creation of the machine that extrudes air duct louvers. With the creation of these machines, the companies he worked for promptly flew them all over the world to places like Mexico, England, and Thailand.  On several occasions, he accompanied his designs to Monterrey, Mexico to supervise installation and provide instruction.  During his career, Ed worked on the manufacturing floor and was promoted into supervisory positions in several roles.  During Vietnam, Ed served in the Kansas National Guard for 6 years and was a staff sergeant and squadron leader.  He also was a machine shop instructor at the Vo-Tech in Coffeyville.

 

On January 19, 1973, Ed married Lorraine Welch and they were married for 25 years until her passing in 1998.  Ed and Lorraine worked very hard and built the family home on 80 acres within the Hill farm property and raised 4 kids.  He served on the Ideal Elementary School board for 8 years as president and his kids got away with absolutely nothing at school that he didn’t know about already.  While maintaining a career outside the home for many years, he always had dedication and great love for operating and running the Hill farm which has been in the family for 116 years.  Ed lived on the farm for virtually all his life. Cattle ranching and farming was where he was the happiest.  Ed had multiple prize bulls that were more like pets that the grandkids could ride. He was the man that could figure out how to fix just about anything.  The only thing that Ed had more pride in than his farm were his children and grandchildren.  All his kids and grandkids learned more from him during the quiet moments on the farm than in any classroom.

 

Ed always had sage advice for his family based on his life experiences and values.  He wanted his family to remember – Accept responsibility for actions, always be honest, trustworthy and caring, never cheat or take advantage of someone, manage finances properly, never let anyone intimidate you and always know the difference between need and want. He leaves this life with zero regrets and peace knowing that he lived the life that he loved and was proud of.

 

Ed is survived by his four children:  David Dozier and wife Ellie of Hutchinson, KS, Bobbie Poindexter and husband Everett of Broken Arrow, OK, Jennifer Buckbee and husband Bill of Overland Park, KS and Ray Hill and wife Heather of rural Edna.  Ed (Papa) was also blessed with 11 grandchildren:  Todd Dozier, Kaitlin Dozier, Aubrey Stone, Courtney Poindexter, Brianna Buckbee, Brett Buckbee, Lin Dozier, Dallas Hill, Jackson Dozier, Sierra Hill and Benjamin Buckbee.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, his parents and three brothers.

 

The family will greet friends on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 200 W. Miami St. in Edna, Kansas.

 

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 8, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Edna with Pastor Allan Banzet officiating.  Burial will follow in the North Edna Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Labette County High School Trap Shooting Team New Construction Fund; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.

 

To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com.

 

David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements.