Richard LeRoy Hill

Richard LeRoy Hill, 68, of Mason City, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017, at home.

Funeral services for Richard Hill will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 509 South Carolina Avenue in Mason City with Pastor Dennis Bachman officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery located between Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Friday, January 13, 2017 at First Church of the Nazarene, 509 South Carolina, Mason City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Richard was born on November 24, 1948, to Lester Paul Hill, Sr. and Hazel Dorothea Powell. He attended Mason City Schools, and graduated from Mason City High School with the class of 1968.

Richard started his employment with the Jacob E. DECKER & Sons Meat Packing Company in Mason City in 1968. He remained with the plant through various mergers and sales. In 1975, Richard relocated to Sioux City when the local plant closed. He then moved to the Packing Plant in Worthington, Minnesota, before returning to Mason City in 1978. Richard retired from Smithfield Foods in December, 2013. He joined the Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butchers Workmen of North America AFL-CIO in November, 1968, and continued his membership until retirement.

Richard was thrilled to buy his home in 1987—where he lived until he passed away. It was the fulfillment of the American dream.

During his early life, Richard enjoyed a trip to the Holy Land as well as a trip to Disney World.

At a very early age, Richard was led to a knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He served the local body of believers in whatever capacity was needed. Most recently he selected the songs to be played during the offertory. While Richard was not vocal about his faith, he demonstrated a life style reflecting the attributes of an excellent and Godly man.

Beside his love for God, he loved his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, as well as his friends and his Country. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch in the Spring, Summer and Fall watching the traffic and listening to Southern Gospel music—of which, his favorite was Bill Gaither and Doug Oldham. Whenever possible, he would attend concerts in Cedar Falls.

He was a Gold Circle Supporter of the VFW since 1999.

Richard also loved animals, especially eagles, and he leaves behind his favorite cockatiel, Alfalfa.

Richard is survived by two brothers, David Eugene (Diane) Hill of Chaska, MN; Earl Wesley (Marlys) Hill of Britt, IA; two sisters, Hazel Dorothea Hill of Bloomington, MN; Mary Beth Hill of Richfield, MN; three nieces, Donna (Joneal) Hill Blasig of Providence, RI; Michelle M. Hill of Little Rock, AR; DeEtta (Xavier) Hill Darras of St. Paul, MN; two nephews, Justin P. (Tammy) Hill of Mesa, AZ; Clint M. (Naomi) Hill of Golden, CO; three grandnephews, Aspen P. (Deja) Hill, of Waianae, HI; Alex C. Hill of Mesa, AZ; Oscar T. Hill of Golden, CO; four grandnieces, Angel J. Hill of Olympia, Washington; Charlotte Darras of St. Paul, MN; Jennavive Blasig of Providence, RI; and Ariana J. Hill of Golden, CO.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lester P. Hill, Sr. (April 25, 1983) and Hazel D. Hill (September 25, 2009), three sisters, Margaret, Martha, and Ruth Jane Hill, and one brother, Ronald Robert Hill.

In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family suggests memorials be given in his honor to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.