Alton "Doc" Hill

Alton W. "Doc" Hill, 84, Bismarck, died February 16, 2008, at a Bismarck care center. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 12:00 Noon at Church of St. Anne in Bismarck with Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post #1326. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary and vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Alton was born on December 6, 1923, in Regent, ND, the son of Dr. Simon and Agnes Mulcahey Hill. He was raised and attended school in Regent, graduating from high school in 1941. He attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN, for three semesters before enlisting in the Army on December 12, 1942. He was discharged on January 19, 1946 and then attended Dickinson State University and the University of North Dakota, graduating with a degree in business administration in 1948. Doc married Elizabeth Robinson on September 10, 1950, at the Riverdale Community Church in Riverdale, ND. They made their home in Grand Forks, ND, where he was a salesman for Firestone Company. In 1952, they moved to Valley City, ND, where Doc owned the Firestone Store prior to going to work as manager of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1963, they relocated to Dickinson, ND, where he continued as manager of the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce and in 1967, they moved to Bismarck where he became executive vice-president of the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce, retiring in 1985. Doc was an avid UND Fighting Sioux sports fan. He was very interested in economic development in Bismarck and was very proud to have founded the Band Day Parade that was later named in his honor. He was also very instrumental in founding the Folkfest celebration. Doc kept his finger on the pulse of the community even after his retirement. He and Beth spent several winters in Arizona, where they became avid fans of Dixieland jazz music. He also volunteered for Open Your Heart and he and Beth delivered meals to homebound seniors for the Bismarck Senior Center for 16 years. He served on St. Anne's Church Council for several years and was a life-member of the Bismarck Elks and American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth R. "Beth" Hill of Bismarck; four daughters, Patricia Gerald Hinsz of Bismarck, Nancy Doug Krebsbach of Washburn, Barbara Vetter of West Fargo, and Mary Steve Marquart of West Fargo; nine grandchildren, Kristin Wyatt Knutson of Wellington, CO, Ross Doreen Hinsz of Ketchikan, AK, Scott Eckert of Fargo, Beth Ryan Mertz of Bismarck, James A. Samantha Frigstad of Bismarck, Amy Donlin of West Fargo, Kelly Donlin of Grand Forks, Nathan Chulsie Little Soldier of Welch, MN, and Tyler Little Soldier of West Fargo; and eight great-grandchildren, Jarod Eckert, Sydney Keller, Luke Frigstad, Max Mertz, Madison Knutson, Benjamin Hinsz, Andrew Hinsz, and Skylar Little Soldier. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Simon and Agnes Hill; his sister, Catherine Jane Zylla; and his grandson, Beau James Little Soldier. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Hettinger County Historical Society Museum, St. Anne's Church, or the donor's choice. The family wishes to send special thanks to St. Alexius Hospice, Benedictine Living Center in Garrison, Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, and the Baptist Home in Bismarck.

Alton "Doc" Hill

December 6, 1923 - February 16, 2008