Max Hill

Our father, Clayton “Max” Hill (91) passed on Christmas Day, attended by family.

He was born October 31, 1932 in the small town of Bloomington, Idaho, one of  five brothers born to Casper and Una Hill. He is a direct descendant of an early Mormon Pioneer (Issac Hill) that made the journey to Utah during those troubling times and was called to settle his family within the Bear Lake valley.

As a young man, Max spent his youth hunting and fishing the nearby Bloomington and Saint Charles canyons. A passion of the outdoors that lasted his entire lifetime. He enlisted within the US Navy and fought the Korean War aboard the antiaircraft light cruiser USS Juneau (CLAA-119), the first U.S. warship to engage in combat against the invading North Korean forces and was very active in operations off the Korean coast and within the Formosa Straits.

He married Thelma Jewell (“Judy”) Oakley on May 20, 1951. A love lasting through 72 years of marriage and raised three beloved children in Sunset, Utah. They sealed their marriage for all eternity within the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day  Saints Salt Lake Temple. The family they began has prospered to over 40 offspring of kids,  grand and great grandchildren.

Max had a successful career of 25 years working within the Data Automation Division of Hill AFB until his early retirement in 1975. He began a second career as a real estate Broker selling recreational properties around the shores and mountains of Bear Lake and Lava Hot Springs. He built a mountain cabin near where he grew up that provided him a place of peace and solace.

He is survived by his wife: Judy, eldest son: Kelley Clayton Hill, daughter: Cindy Thompson Wharton and son: Thayne Max Hill. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and four brothers (Laurel, Darrel, Keith and Tharon). The family is at peace through our belief in grace and faith.

He will be interred at the West Haven Cemetery. A grave-side dedication service will be held with all immediate family members.

How do you acknowledge the accomplishments of a good man, but to simply say he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to all that knew him. He will be greatly missed, remain in our hearts until we join him again, and we will forever be grateful.

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