Howard T. Hill, Jr.
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Services for Howard T. Hill, Jr., 80, Lawrence will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. He died Friday, May 2, 2014 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family.
Howard was born September 24, 1933 in Manhattan, KS the son of Howard T. and Irma Louise (Smith) Hill.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Communication from Kansas State University and his Master’s Degree from Penn State University.
Howard had a long career in radio and broadcasting where he met many life-long friends. He worked as the Director of KANU Radio from 1977 to 1997. His passion for radio and steady, booming voice made him a natural fit as the Public Address Announcer for KU basketball & football at Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium for 21 years. In his free time Howard loved to travel to the Flint Hills and photograph scenery. He enjoyed listening to jazz and classical music alike. His greatest loves were his children and grandchildren.
He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Jayhawk Kiwanis and Lawrence Kiwanis clubs. He was a City Commissioner of Lawrence from 1983-1987.
Survivors include two daughters, Melissa Dawn Wilson of Lawrence and Tiffiney Leigh Beffort of Shawnee and three grandchildren, Drake, Brandon and Britney.
The family will greet friends following the service.
The family suggests memorials in his name to Howard T. Hill Scholarship Fund at Kansas State University that was established in honor of his father, and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.
Melissa–Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Howard was a good friend and mentor to me when I came to work again at Audio-Reader in 1987. Thank you Howard.
I was fortunate enough to meet Howard when he and I worked out at TherapyWorks. I enjoyed getting to know him. He was a gentleman.
Nina and I offer our condolences to Howard’s family. I worked for Howard from the time he arrived at KANU until I left the station in August of 1981. He was always cheerful and gregarious. As the station manager his door was open whenever I wanted or needed to talk about station or personal matters. The family is in our thoughts and prayers as you grieve his passing.
My condolances to the family of Howard Hill. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was ever the gentleman and professional during my brief internship at KANU radio in the late 1990s and I always apprecaited that.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Howard was so great to me growing up. I’m sending my love and prayers to you guys.
My husband and I were neighbors of Howard’s and enjoyed visiting with him as he walked home from the bus. He loved talking to our yellow lab, Chloe. I know you will miss his kind heart and gentle words, as we will as his neighbors.
Sarah & Gary Campbell
HOWARD will indeed be Missed….he and I both served as Presidents of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association – during the period he was News Director at WTAX AM/FM in Springfield, IL and he was my awesome BOSS! (I was the Senior news guy). I was there for the birth of their first child – when they lived on the block between the FBI Director & the MAFIA senior Godfather….in Springfield, IL.
–Ben Kiningham
retired radio network news guy
Wishing the family all the best- Ted McCoy and Howard are together in Heavan!!
We will remember Howard as a terrific public-address announcer and an even better man. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Thanks for sharing him with us and with so many KU fans!
My deepest condolences to Howard’s family and friends. Howard nothing less than a gentleman in all ways. Our friendship grew through an association with KANU and in his role as KU athletics public address announcer. I will always have fond memories of Howard.