Phyllis J. Hill

Madison -- Phyllis Jo Hill was born to Leone Tolbert Hill and Homer Austin Hill on November 27, 1928 in Barttlesville, Oklahoma, and passed away on August 10, 2008 in Madison, Wisconsin.   Dr. Hill succumbed to a rare form of cancer.   The parents of Leone Tolbert made the trek west in the early years of the expansive westward movement, and many of the family eventually settled in what was then Indian Territory, the forerunner of the state of Oklahoma.   As the family grew it came to include members of several Native American tribes: Kiowa Apache, Cherokee, and Creek.   Leone Tolbert served as a teacher in several locales and eventually settled with her husband, Homer Hill, also a teacher, in what became Dewey, Oklahoma.   Here they served as teachers of Native American children and of other immigrant populations.   Thus, Phyllis' knowledge and appreciation of Native American lore began at an early age, and was the driving force in her academic studies.   The dedication of her parents to the profession of teaching and their love of learning had a lasting and profound effect on the life career of Dr. Hill.   She attended the Oklahoma College for Women (now the University of Oklahoma College for Arts and Sciences) for her undergraduate degree, and then matriculated at Mills College in California for a Masters of Science degree.   In 1952, she joined the faculty at the University of Illinois, Champaigne-Urbana, and eventually began her studies for the PhD.   Her dissertation topic reflected the long presence of her family in the west, a cultural history of sport in the transmississippi region from 1673-1821.   Much of her research and writing for the thesis took place at the Wisconsin State Historical Society, in particular the papers of Frederick Jackson Turner.   During her 25 year tenure at the U of Illinois, she served as Professor, Associate Dean, and Acting Dean of the College of Applied Life Science (now Applied Health Sciences).   Selected administrative assignments from the years at Illinois include Director of the campus Peace Corps program, Senate Committee on Student Discipline, Campus Planning and Facilities, and an all-campus committee on salary equity.   As Associate Dean and as Acting Dean, Dr. Hill led the college through the tumultuous years of merging the men's and women's athletic/physical education programs which in turn required major restructuring of the academic programs, degree requirements, and standards for student academic life.   Upon retirement from the University of Illinois in 1977 she moved to her home on Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton, Wisconsin.   However, full time retirement was not for this dedicated educator and mentor, and she began several careers for the state, of Wisconsin.   She was an educator of teachers and a curriculum specialist for the March of Dimes and for the Associated Building and Contractors, under the auspices of the University of Wisconsin -- Madison, and then served as Director of Education for the state Department of Corrections.   In 2004, Dr. Hill was invited back to the University of Illinois to join many of her compatriots for a university-wide recognition of women who had distinguished themselves in various collegiate sports or as administrators of women's sports before the days when such acknowledgements were not accorded to women.   Prof. Hill had been director of women's sports before there was such a title as Directors of Women's Athletics.   Phyllis is survived by her long time friend, Prof. Jane Ayer of Madison, Wisconsin; and by her sister, Dorothy Keyser of Oklahoma City; by her nephews, Jeff (Jackie) of Oklahoma City, Tom of Wimberly, Texas, and Brent (Gina) of Danville, California; and by numerous great nieces and nephews.   Special friends also include Karen Fry and Ellyn Kroupa of Madison, Martha Aly of Seneca, South Carolina, and Marge Souder of Silver Spring, MD.   A host of friends characterize her widespread interests and will remember her for her sensitivity and warmth: water folk, campers, weavers, bridge players, book lovers, and just plain comfort folk.   She is especially remembered by loving friends in Oklahoma.   And of course, Sollie and Nicky.   At the University of Illinois a fund in honor of Phyllis Hill as Mentor Extraordinaire is her greatest legacy, and an accolade which is applauded by her former students who have themselves become educators.   In lieu of flowers, persons who wish may direct contributions to: the UIF/Phyllis Hill Memorial Fund at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigne, and mail to the University of Illinois Foundation, P.O. Box 3429, Champaigne, IL 61829-9916; or to the research programs at the UWH Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI   53792.   A special note of gratitude is extended to Dr. Kyle Holen and his remarkable staff in the Dept. of Medical Oncology.   Phyllis took part in several demanding research studies, knowing that the processes would not benefit her, but that data so collected might in the future help others.   During these intense times of clinic visits Phyllis received invaluable personal support from the fine staff in Medical Oncology and in the GCRC (now TCRC) treatment unit.   A private service of celebration and a reception is planned in Madison.   In Oklahoma City, a prayer service will be held on August 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Servant, North MacAurthur Blvd.   And so, dear one, throughout the years your knowledge became wisdom and your presence thusly blessed our lives. If love be true It shone in you You were our song You were our joy In you was God.