George Thomas Hill

April 12, 1931 - April 15, 2019

George Thomas "Telephone" Hill, a third generation Native Arizonan, was called home by God on 15 April 2019. George was born to Herschel T. Hill and Anna Sauer Hill on 12 April 1931 in Flagstaff, Az. In his boyhood years, George with his parents, Herschel and Anna, along with his brother Ernest, lived on and worked the Pump House Ranch South of Flagstaff in the area of what today would be Kachina Village. Later when George was 12 he and his family moved to Chino Valley, AZ where he and his family set up another homestead in the ag/ranching business. George then would eventually attend Prescott High School participating and lettering in football and track. Among his team mates he would be known as "Crazy Legs" Hill because his legs would flare as he ran. George was very proud of his days playing football with his friend Mack Wilcher. They enjoyed reminiscing those good old days over early morning coffee or an afternoon wine. George would graduate from Prescott High School in 1950 and would play football and run track at Arizona State College which today is known a Northern Arizona University. George would soon find out that because of his slight size, he needed wings to fly over defenders and thus was not cut out to play college football. He would transfer to Cal State Redlands and run track for that program and was very successful. During his High School years he met an Itali-Rish girl from Bagdad, AZ. Patricia O'Shea would be at his side and the love of his life from their first encounter through 68 years of marital bliss. Early in their marriage George joined the Army Reserves and would serve for over 10 years an dat discharge time would reach the rank of Master Sergeant. he also had a long career with Mountain Bell working as a teletype technician and lineman. He would retire from the phone company with over 25 years of service. George and Pat enjoyed their time together traveling to and living in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), MX during the winter season. They would spend over 25 winter seasons residing in Rocky Point with friends such as Arden and Shirley Hammond from the Prescott area and other people from Arizona. Being an avid outdoorsman, George spent time Tom Perkins, and Eddie Balmes hunting deer and elk. He enjoyed those times with Tom and Eddie, and would come home with stories to tell of his hunting adventures. In George's early years, he enjoyed playing slow pitch softball of the 16 inch variety. He played for several years with his friend Maurice Brutinell to include tournaments all over the state. George was also an active member of the Smoki People. He was very proud and passionate of this organization. Along with his son Chris, they would participate in the famous Smoki snake Dance together for many years. Later, George would become Chief of the Smoki People taking the name Chief "Talking Wire". George was also a member of the Yavapai County Mounted Sheriff' Posse and enjoyed his association with this organization. George is survived by his wife Patricia of 68 years, his son George and his wife Kathy, and his youngest son Chris and his wife Brenda. He also is survived by his grandchildren Brian, along with Casey and his wife Linda (George & Kathy); Mark and his wife Bonnie, Jenna and her Husband Matt Wilkerson, Garrett and his wife Jennifer (Chris & Brenda). He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren Jacob, Joshua and Brady (Mark & Bonnie); Braxton, Gabriel, Alyssa and Blake (Jenna and Matt Wilkerson); as well as Keaton and Connor (Garrett and Jennifer). Memorial service will be held at Embry Riddle University 27 April 2019 at the student union known as "The Hangar" at 11am. Signs will be distributed throughout campus for directions. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Yavapai County Mounted Sheriff's Posse Scholarship fund.