Buck Hill, 81, of Albany, Oregon passed away Sunday, January 18. He was born in Wheeler, Texas to Burl and Ola (Underwood) Hill. He spent his early years on the family’s Texas farm. When he was 12, his parents moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon. His parents divorced, and his father returned to Texas. Buck worked full-time in a grocery store to support his mother and younger sister, Agnes, while he finished high school.

He met and wooed Leora Moon, a cashier in the local bank, eventually wedding her. Buck helped raise her daughter, Danna, and added daughters Nita, Judy, and Sandy. Buck and Lee eventually divorced.

Buck lived in Eureka, California, Sweet Home, Crawfordsville, and Eugene before moving to Albany to be near his three daughters.

His jobs included: grocery manager; carpenter; plywood millworker; bread route delivery; ElectroLux vacuum cleaner sales; farmer on the Texas homestead after his father’s death, and independent long-haul trucker, which was his favorite.

He served on the Sweet Home School Board.

After retiring, Buck enjoyed frequent golf outings until his health slipped.

In his final years, he enjoyed watching birds at his feeder, pinochle games with his daughters, old TV westerns and mysteries, and monitoring Fox News while enjoying Copenhagen and a daily glass of wine.

He held a strong belief in God. He had been a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his final hours, Buck was surrounded by family, having them sing hymns to him.

Survivors include: his daughters, Nita Davies, Judy Herstad, Sandy Hill, and Danna Mackey; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, plus three little grand-doggies.

Viewing will be at noon on Friday, January 23, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m., also at the funeral home; 1443 Long St.,Sweet Home. Final burial will be at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.