Elgie Eugene Hill

Elgie Eugene Hill of Cuba, Missouri was born on Monday, April 10, 1933, in Huzzah, Missouri to James Franklin Hill and Mintie Viola “Ora” Wilkinson Hill. He passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 89 years and 10 days.

He loved growing up and living in the Huzzah, MO area and went to Huzzah School.  He spent most of his youth working for local farmers. He attended the Berryman Pentecostal Church regularly as a child with his parents, where he would play the mandolin while his dad sang.  They always walked to and from church as they did not own a vehicle. Being the youngest of 5 boys, his mom spoiled him as he was the baby, and his brothers loved to tease him about it. As a young man, he moved to St. Louis and worked at Wagner Electric as a tool grinder for 3 years.  He was then drafted and served his country honorably for 2 years.  During this time, being stationed in Hawaii, he taught himself to play the steel guitar, which became one of his favorite pastimes. In fact, when he left the Army and went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, he was offered an audition for Carl Milton Smith, an American country music singer.  He played for him during the late 50’s and early 60’s.  They recorded some songs together and even played at the Grand Ole Opry. He played with numerous bands through the years and even at the Meramec Music Theater in Steelville, MO.

He met the love of his life, Margaret “Ruth” Simpson of Cherryville, MO while he was living in St. Louis, and they were married on March 5, 1964.  Joined together in this marriage were their 9 children. He adored his wife and loved spending time with their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his music, he had numerous inventions and patents throughout his life including the Hilltar that laid on his lap to play.  He was an entrepreneur and he and Ruth owned multiple businesses over the years. He loved cars and in the early years, he worked as a car salesman at Earl’s Chevrolet in Steelville, MO, then owned his own car lots, and finally retired from Don Treece Chevrolet in Cuba, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Mintie Hill; parents-in-law John and Lillie Simpson; son Dennis Hill, daughter Janet Cook, and son Elgie Eugene Gowers; son-in-law Alfred Bonser; brothers, Virgil (Betty) Hill, Clinton (Lucille) Hill, Clyde (Elsie) Hill and Dellis (Eunice) Hill; brothers-in-law Junior Simpson, Joe Simpson and Dennis Simpson; sisters-in-law Ruby (David) Christisen and Betty Sterling.

Elgie is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ruth Hill of Cuba, MO; children Elgeana Lynn Hill (Dale) Golden of Cuba, MO, Carl (Deborah) Baker of St. James, MO, David (Cielo) Gowers of St Louis, MO, Joyce Baker of Cuba, MO, Katherine (Darrell) Cunningham of Bourbon, MO and Sue Ann Bonser of Cuba, MO; grandchildren Brennan (Abby) Cape of St. Charles, MO, Mariah (Eddie) Gerren of Steelville, MO, Brandon Baker of St. James, MO, Bill Warner of San Diego, CA, Andrea (Josh) Decker of St. James, MO, Ben (Lisa) Miller of West Plains, MO, Lindsey Hewkin (Eric) of Hermann, MO, Gage Baker of Cuba, MO, Jeff Cook and Aaron Cook both MO, Meredith Cunningham (Neal) and Kaitlynn Cunningham both of  Springfield, MO, Thresa Jane Cunningham of Bourbon, MO, Eddie (Patsy) Brooks, Shawn (Tina) Brooks and Julie Brooks all of Cuba, MO; son-in-law Marty Cook of Sullivan, MO; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Simpson of Cuba, MO, Debbie Simpson of Owensville, MO and Sheila Simpson of Steelville, MO; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO. A private ceremony and burial service immediately followed the visitation with Pastor Jerry Beers officiating and Full Military Honors.

Memorials were suggested to the Alzheimer's Association.

All arrangements are under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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