Arnie Hill, 94, of Des Moines died peacefully on July 19, 2021, at Calvin Community.
Arnie Orlin Hill was born on July 14, 1927, in Elmore, Minnesota.
He was the son of Albert and Mable (Tungesvik) Hill. Arnie graduated from Stanhope High School in 1945. He joined the United States Navy right after graduation, serving on the Aircraft Carriers USS Kula Gulf and USS Chenango as an aircraft mechanic. After the military, he attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa OK. His diploma from Spartan was for Airline Service Mechanic and he also got his pilot’s license. He worked as a machinist and tool and die maker until retirement in 1992.
Arnie was married to JoAnne Clark for 18 years, and they were blessed with 4 children, Gale, Gary, Beth, and Amy. In October of 1992, Arnie married Mary Schaefer of Des Moines, joining her family; Kenny, Chuck, Donny, Rusty and Julie.
Arnie had a servant’s heart and cheerfully helped where needed, especially with his family. New Hope Assembly was his beloved church home, where he quietly and faithfully served the Lord. A life-long learner, he made a study of the things that interested him most; photography, nature, and health, but especially aircraft. In midlife, he joined up with some friends from Experimental Aircraft Association to purchase a kit for a Piper J3 Cub clipped wing airplane. He was the primary welder and spent many evenings working the project to completion. It was a thrill to watch it fly.
The last four years, Arnie’s home was at Calvin Community. He was greatly loved by those who spent their days caring for him. He is survived by his wife Mary, children; Gale (David) Christopherson, Gary Hill, Beth Janson, Amy Kuhns, Kenny Couch, Chuck (Myra) Sheets, Donny (Nancy) Ross, Robert “Rusty” (Jeni) Ross and Julie Spencer. Also, 23 grandchildren; Nick, Travis, Ryan, Erik, Josh, Jason, Ashley, Brady, Emily, Carmin, Corey, Nathan, CJ, Chad, Katy, Jon, Jessie, Danielle, Denver, Christopher, JR, Elizabeth, and Jesse. Additionally, 18 great-grandchildren-Halsey, Mia, Theo, Astrid, Abby, Dom, Miriam, Jaxon, Lexi, Max, Paxton, Reagan, Riker, Trenton, Ashlyn, Issac, Jordan, and Scarlett. Siblings include Robert (Betty) Hill, Virgil Hill, Doris (Dale) Moeller, Larry (Laura) Hill, Lester (Jan) Hill and Alice (Gary) Reed. Arnie was a blessed man and cherished his family.
Preceded in death are his parents, Albert and Mabel Hill, brothers, Maynard, Benjamin and Raymond Hill, grandson, Justin Bickford and great-granddaughter, Georgia Anne Spencer.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Brooks Funeral Care, 2135 S W 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. following the visitation. Burial will be at 12:30 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel Iowa, 50003.
