Charles "Char" W. Hill

MADISON - Charles Wesley Hill died on July 6, 2024, of complications of Parkinson's disease at Talamore Senior Living in Sun Prairie, Wis. A celebration of life service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Charles was born on Sept. 6, 1939, to Rolland Thomas (Bunker) Hill and his wife, Evelyn Amelia (Sandley) Hill. He was a lifelong Madison resident, attending Sunnyside Elementary school and graduating from East High School in 1957. He went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. He held part times jobs with Klein-Dickert and Haack Transfer and Storage of Madison until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962. After completing basic training, he was assigned as a draftsman to the Army Training Center in Fort Eustis, Va.

Once he was out of the Army, he returned to Madison and worked with his father doing home repairs in the Madison area. This left time for enjoying fishing and hunting with family in Madison, De Soto, Viroqua and Chicago. On a fall hunting trip in 1967 he lost his wallet that contained $40.00 from a recent job. Without any money, he decided it was time to find a real job. He was hired by Research Products Corporation. He worked there for 38 years retiring in

2005. He was respected for his engineering skills and well-liked by his co-workers.

Charles’ father died shortly after he started work which shaped Charles' lifetime commitment to helping his mother, and remaining siblings at home and extended family members. He always gave good advice, a helping hand and stressed the importance of getting a good education.

Charles' great joy was fishing and hunting with the family, either on trips to Canada, Phillips, Wis., or his vacation home on the Mississippi River at Desoto, Wis. He enjoyed spending time with his extended family all over the country on special trips to visit as many National Parks as he could. He made special friendships throughout his life and was a welcome visitor wherever he went.

He loved country music, watching the PBS News Hour and a good science fiction book or movie. His sisters got him hooked on Regency romances and he enjoyed the variety of the characters portrayed and relished scenes with a dash of side-splitting humor. He was a longtime member of Bashford UMC and transferred to Sun Prairie UMC recently.

He was a faithful Christian.

Charles was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; two brothers, Charles Rolland and Russell David; brothers-in-law, Jim Wood and Darrell Dahlk Sr.; his aunts and uncles and their spouses; and a nephew, Bruce Hill.

He is survived by his siblings, Marian Wood of Baton Rouge, La., Thomas (Charlene) of Kanab, Utah, Allen (Karen) of Albuquerque, N.M., Sharon (Leo Weibel) Hill of Madison, Marla Dahlk of Madison and Nona (Clark Johnson) Hill of Madison. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews, eight grand- nieces and nephews and many cousins and dear friends.

Charles’ care has been augmented in the past five years by the care and attention of a dedicated team of family caregivers who spent time with him almost every day to ensure he had help in eating and daily functions as the Parkinson's took those skills away from him. Their work brought joy and happiness into Charles's life and their contributions were appreciated by the entire family.

Memorials may be made to Second Harvest of Southeastern Wisconsin or any charity of your choice that supports the care and feeding of children. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420