John Walter Hill, age 91, former banker and community fundraiser, passed away at ThedaCare Medical Care Center in Shawano early in the Saturday morning, April 25, 2020. John was born on January 12, 1920 to his parents the late George and Hilda (Netzel) Hill.  While attending Shawano High School John worked at Shawano airport for free in exchange for pilot lessons and thus learned how to fly an airplane before he knew how to drive a car.  He would later enlist in the US Air Force and serve in Korea where he sustained a significant back injury.  He was transferred to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where he met and married a young nursing student, Mary Ann Booth who preceded John in death on January 10, 2015.

For over fifty years John spent a career in banking at banks located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas and Louisiana. A senior lending executive for most of his career he would rise to become bank president for two different institutions before retiring from banking.

He would later move back to Shawano to retire when he became re-involved in finance with insurance products and 401k plans. John joined the Shawano County Board.  He was named the 2011 Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Shawano County Chamber of Commerce for his efforts in establishing the Shawano Area Food Center.  He also raised funds every year to help clean weeds from Shawano Lake.   He was a Mason and Shriner.

He is survived by his son, Mark of Bainbridge Island, Washington, two granddaughters, Charlotte Hill of Seattle and Claire Tegen Watts of Seattle, two great grandchildren, Mason Watts of Seattle and Chloe Watts of Seattle and his nephew, Ed Moede of Shawano.

He was preceded in death by: his wife, Mary Ann, his parents, two brothers, and six sisters.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Debbie Pagels officiating. Visitation will be at church on Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 9:30 am until time of service.

Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing is kindly requested.