Ronald C. Hills
1932 ~ 2007
Ronald Cree Hills passed away Saturday, August 25, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Born October 3, 1932 to William Cree and Gertrude Harrop Hills of Salt Lake City. Ron was the first of three boys and enjoyed train rides and sledding as a small boy growing up. Ron graduated from South High and attended the University of Utah. Ron served in the U.S. Army and was based in Japan for two years. Later he was called to serve an LDS mission in Japan for three years. Ron attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. He was hired at BYU and later became the Director of CES Youth and Family Programs. In 1976 Ron envisioned and began developing a new youth program, Especially for Youth (EFY). Enrollment at the first EFY session was a disappointing 172. However, 30 years later EFY now has attendance at over 50,000 youth.
While at BYU he met his "Sweetie" DonnaRae Neve of Salt Lake City where they married in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised six children in their home in Highland that Ron built. Ron was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as bishop, counselor and high councilor and many other church positions. After 35 years at BYU, Ron retired and pursued other opportunities as he served in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, as a tour guide at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, and in several church service missions. Ron enjoyed attending BYU football games and was a proud member of the Cougar Club. He loved family vacations and taking the grandkids to Disneyland. Ron also enjoyed volunteering at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games. Ron was very much a people person touching the lives of everyone that knew him. His creativity and imagination has touched more lives than we will ever know. He will be missed for his gentle kindness, witty sense of humor and positive outlook on life.
He is survived by his wife DonnaRae Neve Hills of Highland, Utah and six children Jeff (Sharee) Hills, Christine (Lee) Anderson, Collette (Chris) Tomlinson, Chad Hills, Jennifer (Jeremy) Smith, Kim (Chad) DeMille and 19 grandchildren who he cherished and loved to give bear hugs. He is also survived by two brothers, Richard (RuthAnn) Hills and Lorin (Janni) Hills. He was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter.
The Family would like to thank Huntsman Cancer Center in American Fork and Hearts for Hospice for their loving care and for many others for their love, prayers, and support.
The viewing will be Wednesday, August 29th from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North American Fork, Utah. Funeral will be Thursday, August 30th at 11 am, with a viewing before from 9:30-10:45 at the Highland Utah Stake Center 11200 North 5335 West Highland, Utah.