I am saddened to report Paul Hill, KF5WKL, of Cache, Oklahoma, went SK yesterday. Paul was a great signal OTA and a great man in person. His presence will surely be missed. RIP, Paul. https://www.grayfuneral.com/tributes/Paul-Hill 73 WM1A
Paul D. Hill, KF5WKL SK Paul D. Hill SEPTEMBER 24, 1952 ~ MARCH 7, 2019 (AGE 66) A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. for Paul D. Hill on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Lawton, Oklahoma, with full military honors. Visitation with the family will be held one hour before Paul’s Celebration of Life Service. Paul passed peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer. Paul was born on Sept. 24, 1952, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Naomi Sarah Clark Randall and Edwin Doyle Hill. Much credit is due to his very special grandmother, Georgia Jennings Clark, who’s endless love forever guided his life. Paul attended Lincoln Elementary from the first through sixth grades. He attended Cache Public Schools from the seventh through eleventh grade as part of what would be the Class of 1971, and graduated from Lawton High School in 1971. After high school, Paul joined the Navy and served from 1971-1981. He completed A-School in Jacksonville, Florida, and became an Avionics Electrician’s Mate. After AE School he was attached to the F4 Phantom Squadron (VF51 Screaming Eagles) at NAS Miramar in San Diego, who was then attached to the USS Corral Sea near the end of the Vietnam War and he also served aboard the USS Midway. Paul loved carrier life as a PO1 Avionics Tech. He proudly served his country. During his time in the Navy he enjoyed visiting other countries, especially the Philippines. After the Navy, Paul moved to Colorado Spring where he worked for Rhome Corporation/IBM and started a business called The Computer Farm. Paul continued his computer programming when he took it on the road, driving for Crete Carrier Corporation. He retired in 2004 after illness became ever-present in his life, but he continued setting computers up, designing websites and worked on various projects on the side. Paul became an Amateur Radio Operator in 2013 and loved how new friendships developed the world over. His call sign was KF5WKL. In 1980, Paul married Linda Gail Perciful and to this union two beautiful children, Emily and Daniel, were born. They were his pride and joy. In October 2002, he married Susan Simmons Pollock and moved back to Cache after being gone from the area for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of the home, daughter, Emily Maker (Michelle), son, Daniel Hill, step-son, Chad Pollock (Janna); seven grandchildren, Allison Maker, Logan Pollock, Hudson Karl, Isabella Pollock, Truett Peter, AJ Peter, and Annabelle Peter; two brothers, John Randall (Lucy) and Jerry Randall, and one sister, Janet Randall. Sister and Brother-in-Laws, Rhonda Mahaffey (Rick), Rickey Simmons (JoLynn), and Todd Simmons (Kate); almost like a brother from another mother, Larry Cowan and Wes Blanton, nieces Tathena Shaw, Danielle Randal, Ellie Simmons, and nephew, Mathew Randall. He leaves behind to mourn his passing, his beloved dog Numi. Also, cousins who are almost like siblings, Judy Hamilton and Gary Fields (Karen), and many special friends and family that have been beside him through thick and thin from Cache to Lawton to Yukon, Oklahoma, to California, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, and Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, father, and mother. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cache Volunteer Fire Department (608 S. 8th St, Cache 73527), Aspire Hospice of Lawton (6217 W Gore Blvd, Lawton 73505), Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma (104 NW 31, Lawton 73505), or a charity of your choice. A special thank you to Kenney Sue Olsen, PRC, Janice, Adult Care II, and Dr. Allen at the Lawton Indian Hospital, Dr. Daniel Morgan, CCMH, Dr. Najera and the nurses and staff of Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center of Southwest Oklahoma, and the Aspire Hospice nurses, staff, and doctor, especially Amanda and Amelia. This journey would have been much harder without you by his side. https://www.grayfuneral.com/tributes/Paul-Hill
Paul was my stepdad. He asked me before he passed away if I wanted his call sign and I was honored that he offered it to me. He fought a long battle with cancer. He came into my life after I had graduated high school and got married. For years he and I tried to find something that we could bond together with and enjoy together. He is the reason I got my Ham license (KG5QDY). The funny thing is, I went and took my test and called and told him. He immediately started watching for my call sign to come active. He called me and told me that it was active before I could look myself. I think he was more excited than I was. Every time he and I talked on the phone the first thing he would ask was have I been on the radio. If course he would then ask for details: who were they? where were they?...... you know all of the important stuff. When I would come to town he would call and find out how far I was on the phone and tell me to hang up the phone and turn on the radio instead. Yeah, call me on the phone to tell me to get off the phone and on the radio instead. He was a...... cool and funny guy. When I would make it to the house, he would get all three grand kids in the radio room and get them going and meeting people. They were so excited about that. They would tell me about someone they talked to in Central America, or Colorado or Arizona. He loved his grand kids and they loved him. Typical grand-dad, shhhh don't tell your dad I let you do this or I'm grandpa I can let you do what I want to let you do. There are so many great memories that were created with him and all of his little projects. He will always be missed. I never got to say it to him while he was awake before he finally went to sleep that last week, but man I love that guy. He tried so hard to make sure I knew that he wasn't trying to replace my dad. He just made sure that I knew that he was always there for me for anything I needed, even if it was to just chat about nothing. It was hard to see him go, but I know that cancer is hell. When he told me that the doctors were stopping treatments and he was going into pain management, he asked me what I thought about it. I told him I had two thoughts:1) the selfish I don't want you to stop fighting I'm not ready for you to go and 2) I told him this is what I wanted him to do..... Please do what you can handle, I know that Cancer is hell and that you are in pain. I don't want you to be in hell just so I can have you around a little longer. I wasn't surprised that he went into pain management and honestly I knew that was what was best for him. He fought for so long. As much as it hurts to see him gone and to loose him, I know that he is better now. He is no longer in pain. I told my daughter that she shouldn't be sad. She said "but dad, I miss him and it hurts to loose him". I told her that she has two grandpas in heaven now watching down on her everyday. They will never be gone. The will always be in her heart. I will always miss you Paul. Every time I turn on my radio you will be on my mind and in my heart talking on the radio right next to my side.
