Obit of Hill Jr., Ernest D. (Ernie) - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 5 Dec 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Hill Jr., Ernest D. (Ernie) Ernest D. (Ernie) Hill Jr. prominent Oklahoma County Surveyor and Civil Engineer died Saturday, September 21, 2002 at age 77. Born January 1, 1925 in Oklahoma City the son of the late Pearl Wright Hill and Ernest D. Hill Sr. Ernie was raised in Oklahoma City and graduated from Classen High School where he was an outstanding track star, football receiver and member of DeMolay. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. His studies were interrupted by serving in the Air Force as radar observer, navigator, bombardier, pilot and later as installations engineer. He received the Air Force Strategic Air Command's Commendation for heading up the planning and design of the innovative Combat Crew Conditioning Center in Ft. Worth, Texas. He returned to Oklahoma and completed his engineering and architectural studies at O.U. In 1950 he joined his father at E.D. Hill Surveying & Engineering Co., a consulting firm which traces its roots back to 1903, four years before Oklahoma became a state. He was a registered professional engineer and registered land surveyor. Ernie was elected County Surveyor for Oklahoma County in 1956, an elected position that his father, E. D. Hill Sr. held for more than eighteen (18) years. Ernie served as Oklahoma County's elected County Surveyor for twenty-six (26) straight years until the office was abolished in the county government reorganization of 1983. During his tenure as County Surveyor, Ernie was instrumental in the establishment of Oklahoma's surveyor licensing law as well as numerous surveying innovations. Ernie continued the tradition established by his father in the platting of land developments such as Nichols Hills designed with nature to create timeless beauty. Ernie's creative imagination and outstanding leadership in engineering and urban design earned him national recognition for projects such as: Quail Creek, Greenbriar, Quail Springs and Oakdale Farm. His hands-on and prayed-over design of the Quail Creek development and golf course with his longtime friend, Jack Johnston was one of his proudest accomplishments. One of Ernie's greatest joys was teaming up with his son, Randy to create dynamic design concepts for numerous land developments and master planning projects. Ernie was a member of, the National Society of Professional Engineers, a Founding Member of the Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors, recognized as a Fellow in the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, the Urban Land Institute, and a longtime devoted member to the Downtown Kiwanis Club. Ernie was a lifelong resident of Oklahoma City. He was a 50 year member of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City and served on the board of directors of numerous community and civic organizations. He was a founding member of Quail Creek Golf and Country Club, a member of the Garden of the Gods Country Club (Colorado Springs), the Reveler's Dance Club and the Mayfair Dance Club. Ernie was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, tennis player, golfer, snow skier, water skier, scuba diver and an accomplished private pilot. Ernie was a longtime alumni advisor and friend to his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, a counselor to the Boy Scouts of America and advisor to Young Life and Campus Crusade for Christ. Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, father and college sweetheart, Janie Price Hill to whom he was married for 23 wonderful years. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 wonderful years, Mila Trent Hill of the home and his devoted son Randy King Hill of Oklahoma City. Also surviving are his sisters Carolyn Van Meter and her husband Bill of Menifee Lakes, California and Marolyn Sauls and her husband Doug of Norman, Oklahoma, his brother in law Dr. David L. Trent as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ernie's greatest loves were to his God and his family to whom he was eternally devoted. Ernie was an accomplished private pilot and Bonanza owner for many years. He loved to travel with his family whether to the far reaches of the globe or just to Grand Lake for the weekend. He had a special love for his home in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. At home, Ernie was an avid gardener and accomplished chef. He loved life and life loved him. The family would like to give special thanks to Doctors S. A. and M. A. Shakir and the nurses of Kindred and St. Anthony Hospitals for the loving care given Ernie. Memorials may be made to charity of choice, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation. Services will be held in the Louise Pritchard Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 24th, 2002. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Published in the Oklahoman on 9/23/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html