 | | | John Hill at his residence Photo Ann Murphy | | | | | | In our ever-hectic lives, it is easy to overlook Lamorinda's rich history. Many of us unwittingly pass by historical buildings and landmarks each day, without a second thought, unaware of the legacies each one holds and how it has shaped our beautiful community. From the remnants of the Moraga Railroad stop to the historic Moraga Adobe, and even to Acalanes High School, built as part of FDR's New Deal project, history surrounds us every day in Lamorinda. Meeting John Hills is like stepping back in time; his presence and story serve as a poignant reminder of the rich history embedded in our community.
At 101 years old, John Hill is a captivating and astute gentleman who generously shared excerpts of his life story with me. As I walked into his home, I caught a glimpse into Mr. Hills' life. The flags of over twenty countries filled one wall. The room was adorned with images from his life, showcasing his wedding, travels, friends, and family. Countless books, ranging from history to Charles Dickens, were scattered around his room and on shelves. Throughout the next hour I spent with Mr. Hills, I learned about pivotal moments of his life.
Mr. Hills grew up in the Bay Area with his parents and two brothers, George and James. His father, George Hills Senior, completed only a third-grade education and worked as a truck driver for a local coffee shop. Mr. Hills attended Polytechnic High School followed by San Fransisco Junior College. He was 17 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He recalls the exact moment when he learned about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and described sitting in the car with his friends as the radio broadcast projected Roosevelt's voice. "Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941, the empire of Japan." John recited Roosevelt's words when announcing the bombing. He said Roosevelt was an amazing speaker and he can still hear his voice in his head today. When recounting the discussion with his family at the time he said, "We thought we would probably end the war in six months."
Following the US entering the war in 1941, John completed his Associates Arts Degree at San Fransisco Junior College before he enlisted in June 1942. Mr. Hills enlisted in the Navy before being drafted due to his strong patriotism. He expressed little hesitation for himself, his brothers, and his peers when it came to serving for the United States in the war. Mr. Hills became a medic in the Navy and was deployed to New Guinea and Syndey, Australia. Following the war, John was accepted at Stanford University through the GI Bill and graduated in 1949 at the top of his class with a Cum Laude Degree. At Stanford, John studied history and wrote his thesis: Russian as Seen by American Magazines, 1917 - 1920. He also got his teaching degree, which he would use following his graduation.
Apart from Mr. Hills' professional life, he shared with me some memories of his personal life. John met his wife, Margery, in a church program and married her just a few years later. Although neither of them are French, Mr. Hills married his wife at the French Church of San Francisco as a romantic gesture. He spoke to me about their travels each summer, over which they visited more than twenty countries together. His favorite of these countries is Ireland.
After getting married, Mr. and Mrs. Hills lived in Oakland. Wanting to find a larger home for their children, Mr. and Mrs. Hills went looking for a new house nearby, exploring areas around Walnut Creek and Danville. It wasn't until Mr. Hill saw a newspaper image of Moraga that he decided to move there. He described the image as being all blank except for Saint Mary's College. Due to his love for Saint Mary's College and its sports, Mr. and Mrs. Hills moved to the newly developing Moraga in 1954. He has been living in Moraga ever since. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA