Beverly J. (King) Hill

Beverly J. (King) Hill, 77, passed away on Jan. 26, 2012, in Helena, Mont. Also known as “Sis” to her family and childhood friends, Beverly was born on March 29, 1934 in Missoula, Mont. Beverly grew up in a ranching family near Arlee, Mont.

Some of her best childhood memories were those of living up Valley Creek and attending class at a one-room schoolhouse. School was three miles from home, uphill both ways. Their faithful pony and companion Dixie would assure Sis and her siblings would make it to school on time, by wagon in good weather and by sleigh in bad. After school, she’d light up the wood stove to serve her siblings a snack of melted cheese over crackers. This was the start of her many culinary excellences.

Always the picture of class and elegance, Beverly loved to cook, decorate a beautiful house and entertain. Her tables were beautifully set with fresh flowers and her best tablecloths, china and crystal. Beverly’s meals were magnificent in quality and quantity. Of her many special recipes, Beverly was best known for her pies, as she was a master of the lost art of making flaky pie crusts from scratch.

Beverly was just as gracious of a guest as she was a hostess. When visiting friends, she maintained she’d rather wash the dishes than dry them because she didn’t know where to put them away.

Despite largely growing up without the influence of her own mother who died when Beverly was young, Beverly was the best homemaker and mother imaginable. Beverly married Willard D. Hill in St. Ignatius, Mont. in 1955; they enjoyed 49 years of happiness together. Beverly and Willard made their home in Washington, Texas, and several places in Montana, finally settling in Helena in 1966.

Beverly was committed to excellence in her professional life just as much as she was to her family life. Her hard work resulted in numerous promotions, recognitions and accolades. She worked for various federal agencies throughout her career; ultimately retiring from the Veteran’s Administration at Fort Harrison after 44 years of service. In that time, she never took a sick day.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, her parents Roy and Mary Jane King, her brother, Gordon King and her sister Maxine DeSaussure. She is survived by her son, K.C. Hill, of Helena; her adopted family at Rosetta Assisted Living and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The more difficult things were for Beverly, the more inspiring she became; “the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.”

As Beverly was proud of her 56-year membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, an Eastern Star memorial burial service was held graveside on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at the Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius. A memorial service for Beverly was held on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena. A lunch reception and celebration followed.

Beverly loved flowers, or she would also appreciate your support of the Rosetta Activities Fund, 2530 Wildwood Lane, Helena, Mont. 59601 or Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 608, Ronan, Mont. 59864. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com