Obituary: Russell Stanley Hill

Russell Stanley Hill, age 82, of Lockport, entered into rest Oct. 15, 2024, surrounded by loving family, at Gateway Home Attica, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure.

He was the former husband of the late Diane Zimmerman and the late Lucille Hillock; the beloved father of Patti (Irv) Roy, the late Debbie (Tom) Walsh, Holley (Brian) Davies, René (Lars) Nilsson, Rustie (Steve) Dimitriadis and Cheyenne (Dugald) Campbell; the grandfather of Sarah (Samuel) Morris, Crystal, Tommy and Sally Walsh, and Karin, Anna and Alex Nilsson, and David, Jonathan and Rachel Dimitriadis, and Luma Campbell; the brother of the late Jim Hill, Janet (late Bob) Dalimonte, Rick (late Linda) Hill and Stan (Marilyn) Hill; and the son of the late Stan and Alma Hill. Russ is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, as well as other dear friends and relatives. 

Born on the Tuscarora Reservation on April 22, 1942, Russ grew up on Grand Island, where he lived most of his life. As a teenager, he and his friends formed a club of car enthusiasts called the Gear Jammers (formerly Road Rebels), which performed acts of service and held youth dances. Russ served in the U.S. Army from 1964-66, and was stationed in Mannheim, Germany. He received medals for sharpshooter (rifle) and good conduct.

After his military service, he worked alongside his father, Stan, as an ironworker, until various injuries prompted him to become an artist pursuing bone and antler carving (also alongside his father.) His deer and moose antler eagles and other carvings were displayed at craft shows and powwows across the country. Russ enjoyed the traditional native foods and artwork, and watching the native dancers. He was very proud of his Tuscarora heritage. 

Russ had many passions in his life, including music, movies, photography, working on and racing cars and motorcycles, deer and bear hunting, camping, fishing, observing wildlife of all kinds, birdwatching, and coin collecting. He had a wealth of knowledge of everything from how to construct bridges and buildings to how to take a car engine apart and put it back together. He loved watching Bills games and eating chicken wings, enjoyed watching hockey and car racing, and was a huge fan of Taylor Swift.

Russ loved many animals over the years, including dogs Cinnamon, Bear and Keisha, and his latest companion, a black cat named Archie. He also had a great love for wolves and was able to visit and interact with them, most recently at Wolf Park in Indiana. Russ was a master storyteller with a great sense of humor, and loved spending time with family and friends outdoors or over a meal or a cup of coffee. He was always up for adventures and made friends everywhere he went. Russ will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by those who loved him.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at Kaiser Funeral Home, 1950 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, from 10-10:30 a.m. and again from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a memorial service from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gateway Home, where Russ received wonderfully compassionate care in his final days. See gatewayhomeattica.org or mail donations to Gateway Home Attica, 91 Main St., Attica, NY 14011. Please leave messages of condolence at www.kaiserfuneral.com.