Obituary of Bob Hills
Passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour while at The Village at University Gates, Waterloo on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at the age of 80.
Loving husband of Marion “Marilou” (nee Failes), married for 55 years. Dear father of Ana Hills, of Waterloo and Paul (Amy) Hills, of Calgary. Will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Nathan and Emily.
Survived by his sisters Patricia “Pat” Heroux and Judy (Hank) Hofstee.
Predeceased by his parents Henry and Helen (nee Oxley) Hills, and his sister Mary Lou and Brother John (Kirby).
Bob was born in Toronto, Ontario and spent his childhood in both southern Ontario and Vancouver Island. He attended Toronto Baptist Seminary before joining Wycliffe Bible Translators with his loving wife Marilou. Together they moved to rural southern Mexico where Bob worked learning one of the indigenous languages, documenting the language grammar and finally working on translating the Biblical New Testament into that language. In the early 1980s, he moved with his family to the USA and over the next ten years spent time in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Kentucky before finally being able to return to Mexico and continue his work there. In 2007 he lost his leg in an accident and returned to Ontario to recover. Despite this setback, he continued his work on the translation from his home in Waterloo until Alzheimer’s required him to relinquish the final touches to a colleague who brought it to completion in 2017.
Besides his translation work, Bob enjoyed a variety of hobbies including darts, table tennis, tennis, chess and computers. He had a passion for photography which continued throughout his life. During his later years, he took up crokinole and played frequently at the Adult Recreation Centre in Waterloo. Bob moved to The Village at University Gates in late 2019 and, despite the restrictions due to the pandemic and his failing hearing, kept in touch with his family by phone daily. He will be greatly missed but we know he is with his Lord whom he served faithfully.
Cremation has taken place. A private family memorial service was held on September 26, 2020.
Condolences for the family and donations to Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada may be arranged by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.