On January 14, 2022, longtime resident of North Platte, Nebraska, Roy Hild, 101 years of age, slipped into eternity.
He was born July 16, 1920, at Brady, NE, to George and Sophie Hild, the second of three sons. His brother Ray was born in 1917 and Lloyd was born 1922. Roy and his brothers grew up on the farm at Squirrel Hollow, north of Brady, and Roy chose to sit out of high school to work on the farm in order for his younger brother to earn his high school diploma. Roy did return to Brady High School and graduated at age 21.
In 1942 Roy entered the U.S. military to serve in World War II. He attended cadet training and graduated a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corp. In September of 1944, Roy married Lily Lavine then left to serve in the Pacific Theater as a B-29 co-pilot. After serving over three years and 29 missions, Roy was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following the war, he returned to Brady and shortly thereafter moved to North Platte where he and Lily lived in the same home for the next 75 years. In September of 2021, Lily and Roy observed 77 years of marriage.
Roy began his career at Pearson Appliance where he learned the appliance and propane gas business. After nine years he left Pearson's to begin his own business in heating and air conditioning until 1961 when he formed a partnership with Gerald Cohen of Wallace, NE, to build Cohen-Hild L. P. Gas Company. Roy's son, Kent, returned to the North Platte area in 1981 and joined the business with his father, purchasing the Wallace propane business from the Cohens. Combining the two, the company changed its name to Hild Propane, which continues in operation today with Kent as proprietor.
Roy continued working actively until age 97 when his health prevented him from continuing. He loved his work and the long time association with customers whom he considered as friends, and he often declared that if he had it to do over again, he would do the same business.
Roy was a longtime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where he served in multiple capacities: building committee, elder, adult Bible class, and Laymen's League. He was proud of his service to our country, had a soft spot for children, and loved sports, especially baseball and football. Roy also played with the 'Hasse Hotshots'; he couldn't read music but he could play the piano and the fiddle. Roy enjoyed his life, faith, family and his Arby's coffee group.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Sophie, and brothers, Ray and Lloyd Hild.
Roy is survived by his wife, Lily, of North Platte; son, Kurt (Tammi) Hild, of Santa Clarita, CA, and grandson, Andrew, of San Diego, CA; son, Kent Hild, of North Platte, and former daughter-in-law, JoDee Hild, granddaughter, Katelynn (Kyle Clough), and great-granddaughter, Kollins Clough, all of Wallace; as well as his nieces, nephews and other family.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Daniel Ramsey officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the church or donor's choice. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.