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Howard Hill Passes

I just received word that former MCA Board Member and Vice President Howard Hill of Windham, Ohio passed away sometime before January 6, 2014.

Howard was a walking encyclopedia when it came to Perkins engines and the Ferguson tractors.  He worked 13 years for the Massey Ferguson Test Center in Detroit and the Perkins Rebuilding Center.  He penned several informative articles for the MCA Clipper Newsletter over the years and was always willing to spend as much time as you had discussing the Fergusons and the Perkins engines.  He truly loved both.
 
One of the challenges the local people are having is contacting the family of Howard.  If you know of any family members or even know their names please contact me immediately.  Howard’s wife passed several years ago but we know he had children.  Unfortunately, there is no contact information for them.  If you know anything please contact me and I will forward it to the funeral home and attorney.
 
There will be no services or remembrances at this time.  Rest in Peace, Howard.

Thanks

Gary 

masseyh@aol.com


RE:Howard Hill Passes

Gary'

I am real sorry to hear that about Howard he will be missed by all of us. Howard really knew his perkins engines I guess that's why they called him "Mr.Perkins" I never knew him good enough to know what his kids names were but surely someone out there did. Sorry to hear the news about him.

Joe

RE:Howard Hill Passes

Here is a copy of the obituary for Howard Hill.  We are still looking for his children so if anyone knows them please let me know.

Thanks

Gary

Howard R. Hill

RICHMOND TWP. – Howard Raymond Hill, 75, of SR7 passed away Monday, January 6, 2014 at his home.

            He was born June 5, 1938 in Copley, OH, the son of William and Geneva (Parker) Hill and had been a Richmond Township resident for the past two years, previously living in Windham.

            A 1956 graduate of Copley High School, he attended Letourneau College in Longview, TX as well as Cummins Engine School, Massey Ferguson Service Schools, Perkins Engine Service Schools, Delco Remy Service Schools, Autolite Service School and Lincoln Welding School.

            Raised on a farm with Ferguson and Massey tractors, he always had a passion for the machines and had been a collector for many years.

            Prior to his retirement on May 31, 2008, he worked for Daimler Chrysler PDC in the Maintenance Department for 10 years and was a member of the UAW.  He previously worked for Sparex, Inc., Edward C. Levy, the Perkins Engine Rebuilding Center and Machine Shop, and 13 years for Massey Ferguson Inc. in the North American Test Center, Detroit, MI.  He has also worked for two Massey dealers and two Ford Tractor dealers.

            Howard was a past member of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association and Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association.  He was the United States Representative for the Ferguson Club and Friends of Ferguson Heritage from England, and Member of four Ferguson, Massey Harris, and Massey Ferguson tractor clubs. He belonged to the National Massey Collector Association from2003 to 2013 and was Vice-President and National Board Member from 2007-2012

            He had an article published by Automotive Rebuilder Magazine on rebuilding a Perkins 4-203 Diesel Engine and was the owner of as many as 23 antique tractors.

            His survivors include two children.

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores J. Hill in 2005; brothers, Robert and Stanley Hill; sisters, Lillian and Helen; and his parents.

            No services will be held.

            DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Avenue, Ashtabula who is in charge of arrangements.  www.ducro.com

RE:Howard Hill Passes

If the family can't be found, who wrote the obit?

RE:Howard Hill Passes

Jerry,

That is an excellent question.  I really did not want to share it but...

The funeral director wrote the obituary.

Where did he get his information?  He got it from your very own MCA Clipper Newsletter!!

As many of you know, Howard wrote some excellent articles for the MCA Clipper Newsletter over the years.  As he began writing them, he wrote an introductory article called "Who is Howard Hill".  It was more to legitimize how he knew so much about the Perkins and Ferguson tractors.

If you knew Howard, you would know he was a very private person.  Obviously, there must have been some home issues with his children and they moved away and did not stay in touch.

So the funeral director was able to write his obituary from the information that was provided through your MCA Clipper Newsletter and what little information Howard's late wife's attorney could bring to the table and what little could be gleaned from her obituary.

To say the least, it has not been a fun week here trying to help the funeral home and the attorneys provide a respectable final chapter in a lonely man's life.  He died not knowing how many people really cared about him.

We can only hope others do not meet with the same fate.

Thank you Howard for what you contributed to MCA and the knowledge base of our members.  You will not be forgotten.  May you rest in Peace!

Hope this answers your question, Jerry!

Thanks

Gary

RE:Howard Hill Passes

Gary,

Thanks for sharing this information, and for helping the funeral director acquire the information he needed to write a very respectable obit for Howard.  Howard was an unusual guy, but brought a lot to the MCA during the time he was involved.  Really sad to see the way it all ended for him.

I trust we will find some way to honor his memory at the Spring Meeting in March.

- JB

RE:Howard Hill Passes

I just wanted everyone to know that Howard's son and daughter have been contacted and are active in the process now.  The obituary has been updated to include them and his grandson along with Howard's three sisters.

Thank you all who cared and knew Howard.

Gary

RE:Howard Hill Passes

When I first started working on the Massey Clipper I talked to Howard Hill on several occasions and he was most helpful.  He seemed like a character and I liked him.

RIP Howard.