Wilbert C. 'Wilber' Hill

BONAIRE, Ga. - Wilbert C. "Wilber" Hill, 90, of M-64, Bergland, Mich., formerly of Bessemer, Mich., died peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Bonaire at his daughter Joan's home.

He was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Bessemer, son of the late Oscar and Edith (Reed) Hill. Wilber attended the Barber School in Yale and the Washington School in Bessemer. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School with the class of 1941.

Wilber was employed at the Underwood Veneer Company and then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from June 15, 1943, until Feb. 19, 1946. He received the Asiatic-Pacific American Area Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Philippine Liberation Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he was employed by the Steiger Lumber Company and eventually became self employed as a carpenter until retirement. He enjoyed trapping, fishing, woodworking and working around his shop.

In 1946, he was married to the former Jennie C. Konstenius in Ironwood, Mich. She preceded him in death on Nov.15, 2005.

He is survived by a son, Edwin (Jacqueline) Hill, of Ironwood; two daughters, Joan (Hamza) Chekiri, of Bonaire, and Shirley (Robert) Mastie, of Vulcan, Mich .; five grandchildren, Brad, Brian, Georgette, Nadia and Darren; and eight great-grandchildren. They, and some adults also, affectionately referred to him as "Greatest."

Also surviving is a brother, Lloyd Hill, of Bessemer; and sisters, Valerie Higgens, of Hurley, Wis., and Beverly (Kenneth) Wuorinen, of Bloomington, Minn .; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Wilber was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Hill; and sisters, Margaret Maki and Florence "Dolly" Schwartz.

At Wilber's request, cremation will take place and there will be no formal services.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is assisting the family with local arrangements.