Franklin R. Hill, 93, of Reading, a longtime resident of Lancaster and Colwyn, Delaware County, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2022, with loved ones at his side. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Doris M. Hill, who died 16 days earlier on August 11.
Mr. Hill was born in South Philadelphia, son of the late Ethel (neé Anthony) and Whitmal W. Hill, Sr. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1947, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, primarily stationed in Japan, and worked as an Electrical Inspector at the General Electric plant in Southwest Philadelphia for 41 years.
Active in his community, Mr. Hill was a member of the South Philadelphia High School Alumni Association, served as Past President of the Colwyn Fire Company, and was a Founding Director and Board Member of the Colwyn Swim Club. He was also a dedicated member of the Improved Order of Red Men for over 60 years, having served as PA State President in 1979 and PA State Treasurer in 2006 as well as a number of other regional positions in the organization in Philadelphia, Oxford, and across the state of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Hill was also a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, including the Thomas R. Patton Lodge #659 in Philadelphia, Andrew H. Hershey Lodge #764 in Lancaster, and Lodge #43, F. & A.M., also in Lancaster. He was Past President of the James Buchanan High Twelve Club #687, and a member of American Legion Post No. 0945.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Whitmal W. Hill, Jr. and Carl A. Hill.
Mr. Hill is survived by his sons Ronald, of Chester; Douglas (Kim), of Palm Coast, FL; Daniel (Jeanne), of Hahira, GA; and Scott (Mary), of Pottstown; eight grandchildren: Douglas Hill II, Jessica Hill, Andrew Hill, Jennifer Stewart, Daniel Hill II, Emily Hill, Shelby Russell, and Kyle Hill; 13 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Nicholas, River, Nova, Morgan, Liam, Aubrey, Kendall, Jamison, Maclin, Harley Claire, Annie, and Maddox; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of both Franklin and Doris Hill on Saturday, September 24, at D’Anjolell-Barone Memorial Home, 908 S. Providence Road, Wallingford PA. Visitation from 9:00-11:00 am, followed by the service in the Main Chapel. Visitation will also take place on Friday, September 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Doris and Franklin Hill to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.
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