Thomas Andrew Hill, aged 79 died suddenly on Thursday, October 3 in Warsaw, MO.
Tom was born July 11, 1945 to Robert Andrew Hill and Lois Virginia Dusenberry Hill. He grew up on the family farm in Stet, MO. His older brothers Robert William (Bobby) and Richard James preceded him in death. Their stories about growing up provided hours of entertainment around the Thanksgiving table, many of them centered around Tom’s antics. He seemed to have a genuine knack for letting the cattle get out. Once at the State Fair, a bull got away from him and it destroyed the picnic plans of many fairgoers. He had many champion and grand champion ribbons at the State Fair and American Royal showing polled herefords. He treasured his Stet and Norborne family and friends.
Tom graduated from Norborne High School in 1963 and attended the University of Missouri, graduating from there with a BS in Agriculture. He went to work for the USDA before being drafted into the US Army where he was a top secret computer specialist stationed in Killeen, TX. After discharge, he returned to the University of Missouri MBA school, graduating in 1973. He was hired by United Missouri Bank in 1973 and remained there until his retirement in 2009, moving from Credit Analyst at the Main Bank in Kansas City to Cashier at Hickman Mills to Vice President at UMB Warrensburg then to President and CEO of UMB Warsaw in 1980.
Tom married Lesli Ann Simmons in 1973 in Columbia, MO. They became proud parents of Darcy Virginia Hill in 1975 and Andrew Dorsey Hill in 1977. He was a great Dad who guided so much of their moral and character development not by what he said, but how he lived. He was a steady and steadfast example of honesty, humility, loyalty, and duty to family, friends and community.
Tom was a tireless champion of Warsaw serving on many countless city committees, as President of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, President of Lions Club. He worked constantly to promote tourism and civic pride. He initiated the development of Shawnee Bend Golf Course, taking Lesli and Darcy and Andy out there at night and on weekends to pick up those famous Benton County rocks. That was a losing battle but he persisted.
Behind the suit and tie banker image was a really funny guy. He made silly songs and sayings, and his car riding games were legendary.
Tom was an accomplished athlete who received many awards in track, football and basketball. He watched anything sports. His favorite teams were the Royals, the Chiefs, and anything MIZZOU. He retired early at 63 and he thoroughly enjoyed playing golf with his friends on Tuesday and Friday and his annual golf trip with them. Tom passed along his love of the game to Andy and they spent hours on the course together. Tom also played pickleball and had a great time staying physically active with such a fun group.
In 2009, Tom became a grandfather when Addison was born and then Alia in 2015. He poured all of his heart into his new Papa role. He loved them fiercely. He was so proud pf them and the kind people they were becoming.
Tom is survived by his wife Lesli and children Darcy Hill of Aspen, Colorado and Andy Hill of Warsaw, two granddaughters Addison and Alia Hillt, one niece Jennifer Hill of Shreveport, Louisiana and many great- nieces and nephews.
Tom was a lifelong member of The United Methodist Church.
Funeral Services for Tom Hill will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Warsaw. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw. Interment will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, October 11, 2024 at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Stet, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hill Family Fund Benton County Community Foundation.
