Watt Hill Obituary

I just found about today about Col. Hill´s passing. Col. Hill taught me history for two years at Rampart High School during 1983-1985. He is one of the finest teachers I ever had. A man of principle who clearly loved teaching, he is one of the reasons why I became a teacher! RIP.

I took a history class from Col. Watt G Hill at Air Academy High School in 1982 (I think).

Mr. Hill was an amazing teacher who made history interesting to someone with no interest in history.

Now, I am fascinated by history.

Thank you Col. Hill.

I had Col. Watt Hill at Rampart High School i "History of Great Airpowers", Class of '87. Great teacher! Fond of the memories of that class. Thank you for your service!
Brgds,Tore

What a GREAT MAN!!!

Mr. Hill was my U.S. History teacher at Rampart High (1985).
He was an awesome teacher and inspiration for life. I have thought of him through the years and have to say that he had a part of making me strive to be a better person and Patriot to this country. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Mr. Hill. You were one of the best!

Mr. Hill was my most memorable teacher. He took a transfer student in the middle of September and gave me a safe place. I took every class he taught at Rampart. He was so kind, so caring and taught history with a passion. He will be missed but his legacy is in us all.

Carla Whiting
Rampart Class of 85

Watt and Eunice Hill were our next door neighbors in Monument. our family was privileged to know him and Eunice too while we lived there. He was a wonderful source of information, kindness and integrity. our kids loved to visit with him. our lives were so enriched by knowing him....

We lived next door to Watt and Eunice for 30+ years and you just couldn't ask for better people. Watt, although I never had classes from you, I considered you a great teacher. i learned a lot from you and you'll be greatly missed

Mr. Hill was one of the greatest aviators in American History. The way he tells the tale, he was the youngest US pilot in the European theater in WWII, and "Would have been the youngest in the entire war if it wasn't for this guy named George H.W. Bush. But he got shot down. I didn't get shot down."

You will hardly find a more passionate teacher, patriot, and gentle soul. Godspeed into Wild Blue Yonder, Col. Hill!"

This is sad news indeed. I had always wondered how he had gotten along, but I'll I had was "Col. Hill" to base a search off of. Last year some kind soul posted a question on how the fantastic former History teacher "Watt G. Hill" was getting along. Armed with that information, I found his phone number and gave him a call.


His first comment was how was *I* doing, his concern for me was genuine.

We talked and I told him that he had inspired a love of history in me (my 1.2 GPA at AAHS not withstanding - I very well might be that guy mentioned in his obituary), and that it was my favorite pastime.

He was such a kind soul and he will be missed greatly.

I have wonderful fond memories of Mr. Hill's class and caught his contagious expression of excitement and interest in our country's history that has lasted 40 years! He lives on in each of us... "manifest destiny" Rest in peace

Mr. Hill is one of the most memorable of my teachers. He really understood the topics and was really effective at conveying how all the pieces fit together. I regret that I never knew he flew P38s until only recently. So many questions I wished I had been able to ask and also wish I had been more curious about the man himself. He was a fascinating individual with great integrity and dedication to everything he did. GD AAHS Class of 1976

Col. Hill left an imprint on many lives. I am grateful to have gotten to learn from this historian. What a gentleman. Angenette
Rampart HS 1989

Eunice, I am so sorry to hear of Watt's passing. I know what a wonderful friendship he had with my father, and my childhood in Woodmoor was filled with many happy events seeing both of you with my parentes at pot lucks and other events. Like Watt, I was inspried to go into teacher following my USAF career, and I would like to say that the example Watt set had something to do with that. What a wonderful life he had with a loving family. May God's blessing be with you and your family in this difficult time! Ginny Caine Tonneson

I´m so sorry to hear of Col Hill´s passing. He was one of my favorite teachers. Every time I see an A-10, I think of my military history class and remember how I wrote a paper on that airplane. He always had a story to tell and he made learning fun. God bless him

If ever I had a role model for dignity and kindness, it was Col. Hill. We both started our careers in Academy District 20 at the same time - me as a clueless novice and Watt as a distinguished veteran and former USAFA instructor. Watt was my parents´ age, so he was a father figure to me too. As a twenty-two year old, I was eager to be cool and popular, but when I considered Col. Hill, I realized how much better it would be to be dignified and respected. He made me want to try.

Watt exuded enthusiasm for his subject matter, but it was even more obvious that he enjoyed young people. He was courteous, earnest, and kind to them. Students reciprocated his respect and affection, and they rose to his high standards.

The last time I spoke with Watt was on the phone two years ago. His last words, before he hung up, were, "I love you." What a profound honor to hear those words from such a man. I love him, too, and send my deepest sympathies to everyone in the family.

Col. Hill - One of my all-time favorite teachers! Thank you for your service to our great country, and to education....we surely could use more like you!

God Bless

Colonel Watt Hill was an exceptional teacher whose intelligence, guidance, compassion, and humor laid the foundation for my desire to learn everything I could from him. "The History of Airpower" was my favorite class at AAHS, and I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Hill family and friends.

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Col Hill´s 31 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or [email protected]. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO

Rampart. 1992. I was not his best student. But he sparked in me the desire to be a better learner. The reason why is simple. Two words: He cared.

I took every class Colonel Hill taught at Rampart High School in the late 1980s. His dedication to his students was unmatched.

While I never excelled in his classes, I still use the lessons he taught every day.

And yes, Mr. Hill, the P-38 is the finest fighter plane of the WWII era bar none.

I took every class Colonel Hill taught at Rampart High School in the late 1980s. His dedication to his students was unmatched. While I never excelled in his classes, I still use his lessons today.

And yes, Mr Hill, the P-38 is the finest fighter plane of the WWII era - bar none.

Air Academy. 1983. Best teacher. Friend. He loved us. All . Talked to him few years ago, just to thank him. He is still the model. Great man.

Col. Hill was an amazing teacher. I learned a lot from him and he was the inspiration for me to go into teaching. A true hero.

Watt was an exemplary and kind soul who inspired many. My family met Eunice and Watt at St Matthias years ago. Our daughter Mary loved sharing the birthday blessing with Watt each year as their birthdays fell in the same week in October. I have been fortunate to continue my friendship with the Hills all these years later through emails, phone calls and visits. I am sending my sincere condolences to Eunice, Linda and the entire family.

Col. Hill was the best history teacher I had. I am privileged that he was my history te
acher, learned a lot from him.

What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man! Thanks for being an inspiration to all of us.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Eunice and the family. God be with you all

Great Teacher, I will miss him.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Col Hill was my favorite teacher at AAHS in the mid-1970s. He inspired me to be a good student, and to pursue my own 25-year career as an Air Force pilot. I still remember laughing when he joked that his time in Europe during WWII was so brief because his being there ended the war quickly. He was a true professional, a wonderful educator, and an even better person. I only have a couple "Heroes" in this world, but he was definitely one of them. I´ll never forget Mr. Hill! I´ll be praying for Miss Eunice and their family. Thanks for letting him touch our lives.

There are many of us who owe a great deal to Watt Hill, students and teachers alike.