Julius “Jiggs” Burton Hill

Jiggs died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the age of 92.

Jiggs was born in Gifford, Idaho, April 2, 1923, to Henry “Bert” Hill and Julia “Jude” Kollenborn  and moved to Columbia Falls in 1927.

Jiggs graduated early from Columbia Falls High School so he could enlist in 1941 to serve in the U. S. Marine Corps.  He served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a flame-thrower, .50-caliber machine gun operator, as well as a .30-06 rifle sniper.  He had an honorable discharge in 1945.

Jiggs met E. Ferne Downes in 1947 and were later married on May 24, 1947 and had four children.

Following the war, Jiggs worked in Hungry Horse as a bartender for the Bureau of Reclamation until the completion of the dam.  Jiggs spent the remainder of his career employed at Plum Creek and retired after 30 years.

Jiggs was an all-around outdoor sportsman.  He enjoyed camping and fishing at the Hungry Horse Reservoir as well as fishing at Tiber Lake.   He would take his grandchildren fishing in his boat and take the boys to the North Fork cabin in the summer for “boy training.”  He was an avid hunter, and had the privilege of having two successful moose hunts, in combinations with numerous, elk, deer and antelope and waterfowl adventures.  His trophy black bear was made into a rug, which he used in numerous pranks with the grandkids. Jiggs had a creative sense of humor.

Jiggs loved all sports, and followed his children and grandchildren in rodeo, basketball, track and field, football, and baseball, as well as their academics.  He was an avid reader, sometimes reading two books a day. He also was very fond of dogs and always had a dog (or two) as a companion.

Jiggs is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Chet, and his grandchild, Joleen Johnson.

 He is survived by his wife, Ferne; his children, Cheryl L. Neier, Jerry “Cork” B. Hill, Jay B Hill and Kelly M. Hill; his grandchildren, Teresa Malzer, Jacey Johnson, Alicia Johnson, Shelly Neier, Kendee Barnes, Jason “Beau” Hill, Jamie Hill and Jesse Hill; and 11 great grandchildren.

Service for Jiggs will be held on Monday, April 4, at 11 a.m. at Columbia Mortuary with a graveside service following at Woodlawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the local Veterans Home and/or Veterans Food Pantry.