Ronald Hill

    Ronald Hill, age 73, of Whitewood, S.D., died  Aug. 18, 2016, at the Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City.
    Ronald “Ronnie” Hill was born on Jan. 19, 1943 in Rapid City, the son of Leonard and Evelyn (Bateman) Hill. He lived in Cottonwood, South Dakota with his mother and Bateman grandparents. Then they moved to California.
    When he was in the third grade, they moved back to South Dakota at the LC-Ranch, which was the Crew Place. He then moved back to California for a few years and later moved back to the Interior area he made his home with his great aunt and uncle, Jessie and Leslie Crew.
    Ronnie graduated from Interior High School in 1962. As a young man, he worked on the Crew Ranch and for other ranchers in that area. He also broke horses and worked for the Jackson County Highway Department.
    He was united in marriage to Lana Lester on June 17, 1964. They made their home in the Interior area. Their main home was in Interior, but they traveled from place to place while Ronnie was working in the heavy equipment construction business.
    On July 16, 1965, they had their first daughter, Teresa. On Aug. 17, 1971, they had their second and last daughter, Kori. In 1990, the family moved to Whitewood, where they have since resided.
    Ronnie continued construction work until his retirement in February 2016. Some of his hobbies included fishing, hunting and trapping. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    Survivors include his wife, Lana Hill of Whitewood; two daughters, Teresa Hill of Whitewood and Kori Grass of Rapid City; three grandchildren, Keeva Grass and Kolton Grass of Rapid City and Kindra Grass of Whitewood; two great-grandchildren, Kenton Grass of Rapid City and Donita Holt of Whitewood; four stepbrothers, Edward Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., Darcy Smith of Custer, Jerry Smith of Chadron, Neb., and Charles Smith of Custer; one stepsister, Nancy Hill of Indiana; and a host of other relatives and friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepbrother, Kenny Hill; his mother- and father-in-law, Tessie and Aubrey Lester; and his great aunt and uncle, Jessie and Leslie Crew.
    Graveside services were held Aug. 23 at the Interior Fairview Cemetery, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
    Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.