Joseph McMinn Hill was born August 9, 1934 in Anthony, Kansas, son of William McKinnley and Gladys Mae (Nordgren) Hill.  He attended Anthony High School.

On April 3, 1957, Joe was inducted into the United States Army serving until his honorable discharge on April 2, 1959, when he transferred to the Army Reserves and continued to serve until 1962.  During this time, he participated with the Army Rodeo Team.  He was also proud to have taken part in Operation Cold Storage in Alaska.

On December 23, 1961, Joe was united in marriage with Eleanor R. Baker in Springfield, Colorado.  They lived in Springfield until April of 1962 when they moved back to Anthony, Kansas.  In December of 1963 they were blessed with their daughter, Shelly.

Joe began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation as a Heavy Equipment Operator in August of 1962.  He retired from KDOT in September of 1996. He also broke and trained racehorses.  After his retirement from KDOT, and with Eleanor's blessing, he continued training horses full time.  He loved training horses, and spent many months out of the year, traveling to train and rodeo.  He was a member of the PRCA.  He retired from training when he needed to be home to care for Eleanor.

After losing Eleanor on July 5, 2015, Joe enjoyed driving around town with his jack Russell terriers and visiting with friends or playing pool at "the office" (aka the Idle Hour).

In 2019, Joe moved to Haysville to live with Shelly.  This transition made for an eventful life for Shelly and Darci as his caretakers.  Oh, the stories and memories they made during this quality time.

In 2021, he moved into Chisholm Place Assisted Living Memory Care where, with Shelly by his side, he passed away on January 29, 2023 at the age of 88.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his parents; and siblings:  Willie Hill, Rosalee Niethamer, Wilma Houston, and Robert Bursch.

Joe will be deeply missed by his daughter, Shelly Bloomer and husband, Michael; grandchildren: Darci Kangas and husband Kenny, and Corbin Bloomer; great-grandchildren: Karver and Koa Kangas; brother, Phil Hill; nieces and nephews:  Brenda Craig, Justin Hill, Scott Hill, Linda DePue, Steve Niethamer, Dan Niethamer, Jeana Niethamer, and Sam Bursch; other relatives and many friends.

Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Forest Park Cemetery in Anthony.  The family invites everyone to join them at the Idle Hour following the graveside.

Viewing and registry will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2023 with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials in memory of Joe may be made to the Joe Hill Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.