Kenneth B. Hill, 83, of Marion, died Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Wesleyan Health Care Center, Marion. Ken was the founder and owner of the Sports Hotline of Grant County. He published the weekly paper for 44 years, never missing a week from 1971 until retirement in 2015. Prior to starting the Sports Hotline, Ken was employed by the Chronicle-Tribune as a sports writer. He moved to Grant County from Illinois and previously Michigan. Ken was born in Lexington, Kentucky to the late Arthur and Sophine (Rogers) Hill in 1935. He graduated from Henry Clay High School Class of 1953 in Lexington. He received a BA in Journalism from the University of Kentucky in 1958 where he was a star right-handed pitcher for the baseball team.
Ken dedicated his whole life to sports and to the kids of Grant County. He could often be seen attending several sporting events in one night. He lived to play tennis which was the main reason he formed the Sports Hotline tennis league and tournament which was held every summer. He enjoyed both running the tournament, along with the help of several others over the years, as well as competing. He was a fierce competitor and hated to lose as many can attest to. Ken participated in many tennis tournaments over the years as well as the senior Olympic Games. He was an Inductee into the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame as well as serving on the board of directors. He was also a member of the Marion High School Hall of Distinction for outstanding media coverage and received many awards from local high schools and colleges for his outstanding sports coverage. He was appreciated by all who knew him.
Ken was an Air Force veteran where he pitched for the Falcons while in Japan.
Ken is survived by his special family, Carol Oliver-Meese and her children Nick Trout, Lauren (Curtis) Holcom and their daughter Mira Jean ~ Chris (Cara) Oliver and their children Luke and Caleb ~ Christina Oliver and her daughter Kennedy Crandell. Sister, Ida May Pauer, Long Beach, CA ~ Niece, Caren (Jim) Roberson, Long Beach, CA ~ Nephew, Steve (Karen) Matchett, Grand Haven, MI Special friend, Kathi Richey, Marion. Two great nieces and one great nephew.
He is preceded in death by brother-in-law Bill Pauer, sister and brother-in-law Louise (Dick) Matchett, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy (Teiso) Uyeno and brother Arthur Hill Jr.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be at 9:30 AM Thursday at College Park Chapel Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4601 S. Western Ave., Marion, with Jim Brunner, Jack Colescott, and Lorenzo Pettiford presiding, burial immediately following with military honors at Marion National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
A special thanks to the staff in the memory care unit at Wesleyan Health Care for their love and care of Ken. The family would also like to thank all those who contributed to making the Sports Hotline the success that it was.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ken Hill/Sports Hotline Scholarship Fund in care of Star Financial Bank or Armes-Hunt Funeral, for one student in each of the Grant County local high schools pursuing a degree in journalism or media. Contributions can be mailed to Star Financial Bank, 315 S. Adams Street, Marion, IN 46952 or to Armes-Hunt Funeral Home, 4601 S. Western Ave., Marion, IN 46953.
Go Kentucky!
Online condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com