Warren Hill

Adored father, loving husband, and stalwart of the community, Warren Arnold Hill passed away October 12, 2023. Born in Bozeman, MT June 18, 1944 to Irene Durand Hill and Warren E. Hill, Warren was the eldest and most Type A of siblings Sharon (Pielaet) and David.

Warren grew up in Billings during a period of town expansion, attending the majority of elementary, junior, and high schools. In 1962, he became a member of the inaugural graduating class of Billings West High. Warren started college at the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship. He transferred to the University of Montana by his sophomore year to continue his football career. During his junior year at the University of Montana he received a draft notice at which time he rejoined the United States Air Force ROTC. In his last quarter at the university he met Anne Spencer. They married on December 28,1968 in Missoula, MT.

After college graduation Warren began pilot training at Webb AFB in Pilot Training Class 69-05. He completed training and immediately became a T-38 instructor at Laredo AFB, Texas. In December 1973, he began his assignment at Korat AFB in Thailand. During his first mission, an engine fire prompted Warren and his co-pilot to work emergency protocol in textbook fashion before ejecting. He later quipped that he “ made a million dollar deposit in a bank in Thailand” after his jet crashed. After completing his overseas assignment, he returned to Holloman AFB, NM as an instructor pilot in fighter lead-in school. His last tour was in fighter assignments of a major air command based at Langley, Virginia AFB, flying a desk, as they say. After 10.5 years of service, 11 moves, 5 states and one tour in Thailand, Warren resigned and received honorable discharge.

Searching for his career, Warren contacted a BWHS classmate who mentioned opportunities with IBM. Hired in the summer of 1978, his career of 28 1⁄2 years with IBM based in Billings, MT began. A testament to his value, skill and adaptability, Warren held many positions in sales, sales management, marketing and training. In his final position before retiring, he worked in technical training enablement for one of IBM's software brands, where he played a key role in training technical sales professionals worldwide whenever new IBM portfolio products were introduced. He worked with a worldwide team, by telephone, at all hours of the day and night coordinating events in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and traveled extensively around the world. One year he gained top frequent flier status on two airlines by the end of February.

On December 31, 2006 Warren retired from IBM and applied his talents to lawn maintenance, neighborly driveway shoveling and obsessive car washing. Enjoying the benefits of a full retirement, Warren prioritized visiting his adult children as they moved through the country. He delighted in attending as many grandchildren's events as possible, cheering, whistling and acting as a photographer. Throughout retirement, Warren remained committed to learning and volunteer service. Elevating his love for car washing to new heights and achieving a long-held ambition, he purchased and restored a '58 Chevy Bel Air Impala, which opened the door to a community of enthusiasts, experts, and friends at “the shop”. As an active blood donor he recently achieved his 5 Gallon donation award. Since 2015 Warren worked with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department as an administrative volunteer.

Warren touched the lives of many. In addition to the restaurant waitstaff that he always addressed by name, the elementary student whose classroom he visited or the ball player whose game he officiated, he had many strong friendships. He nurtured connections with BWHS alumni, college football teammates (Griz and Bobcats alike), Phi Delta Theta Fraternity brothers, ROTC, USAF, IBM, Tigers sports family, youth sports, Montana sports officials, aviation enthusiasts, local car aficionados, Billings West Rotary, Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department, morning fitness devotees, Forest Park neighbors and various coffee clubs.

Alongside his career and personal interests, Warren made a priority of his children's activities. When team mom and wife Anne needed an umpire for a little league game, Warren stepped up for the task kicking off an impactful officiating era. Officiating offered a new way to participate in sport and a volunteer commitment of significance. He evolved into a respected umpire instructor locally and at Western Region Little League Umpire School in San Bernardino, CA. A credit to Warren's excellence, he was selected as an Umpire for the 2003 Little League World Series, in Williamsport, PA. From baseball to softball, and from Little League to college, players and families fondly reminisce about the game of their youth with Warren as their umpire. In addition to Warren's storied umpiring career, he officiated football for many years and continued support for fellow officials by handling chains, scorekeeping, and managing the game clock, even up until two weeks ago.

Warren is preceded in death by his parents Warren and Irene and is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Anne (Billings, MT), children; Shannon Ortt (Dan Ortt), Kelly Hill Shuptrine (Carl Shuptrine), Spencer Hill, four grandchildren; Rylan Ortt, Aidan Ortt, Emiline Shuptrine, Eliette Shuptrine, siblings Sharon Pielaet, David Hill (Debbie Hill), nieces, many cousins and extended family.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held in Spring 2024. To honor Warren with a donation, become a blood donor, support the BWHS Angel Fund at efbps.org, or volunteer your time in youth sports. To honor Warren's character, make a dad joke, listen to 60's music, smile at a stranger, offer genuine gratitude, be present in your life and know you can make a difference.