Willa A. Hills

Willa Ann Hills (Swisher), 81, of Casper, went to be with her Lord December 20th, after a short illness. She was born on August 27th, 1932, in Indianola, Nebraska, the daughter of William and Wilaford Swisher. Willa attended schools in Nebraska and in Cut Bank, Montana, where she was living when she met the love of her life, Loyd Hills, the brother of her Pastor, Reverend Fred A. Hills, Jr. Willa and Loyd were married on June 11, 1949, in Cut Bank.

After they were married, the couple moved to Idaho, near Loyd's family. For a time they lived in Nampa, Idaho, where Loyd was attending Northwest Nazarene College, before settling on a family farm in Jerome, Idaho. Their four children were born during their time near Jerome. In 1961, the family moved to Casper, WY, to be near Willa's mother. Willa and Loyd purchased the home, at 825 East 16th Street in Casper in 1962, where they lived out their days together.
Willa was an exceptional pianist; playing at church and other locations around the community. Loyd and the children sang while she played and they performed for church and local audiences, as well. Willa could hear any song and almost immediately play it by ear. She could also transpose any song to a different key without a pause. Willa played the organ at several Casper Mortuaries and was an oft-requested accompanist and musician in the area.
Willa was a gifted seamstress who sewed most of her children's clothes when they were young. Her skills as a seamstress led to employment in the drapery department of Sears in Casper. Eventually, she opened her own drapery business and installed curtains and draperies in many homes in the Casper area. Willa also worked as a tailor for many of the dry cleaners in the area, including G & H Cleaners, Casper Dry Cleaners and many others. At the time of her retirement, she worked from her home doing repairs and alterations with Loyd as her assistant. Willa was an accomplished dress maker who could make dresses to fit without the benefit of a pattern. She sewed wedding dresses for her daughters and granddaughters and for many area clients. In addition, Willa volunteered to sew uniforms for the Casper Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps during the 60's and 70's.
Willa knew no strangers. She befriended many people who were having difficult times and was very sensitive to the needs of the community. The family holiday table often included extra guests who were unable to be with their own families.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents and two of her five siblings, brother William and sister Phyllis. She is survived sisters Joanne Hart of Casper, Donna (Stan) DeVore of Saratoga and Arlene (Jim) Stewart of San Diego, CA. In addition she leaves behind Loyd and her four children; Ed (Marta) Hills of Littleton, CO; Terry (Jan) Hills of Lakewood, CO; Lyle (Laura) Hills of Rock Springs, WY; and Rhonda Hills of Lakewood, CO. In addition, she is survived by 11 Grandchildren: Sara Hills of Stillwater ,OK; Rhonda (Ryan) Rudolph of Castlerock, CO; Kerry (Mike) Wilkinson of Parker, CO; Dustin (Holly) Hills of Casper, WY; Aaron (Jenny) Hills of Parker, CO; Anthony (KC) Hills of Reliance, WY; Nick (Jen) Hills of Reno, Nevada; Meagan Hills (fiancé' Josh) of Nashville, TN; Joe Hills (fiancée Ashley) of Aurora, CO; Taylor Hills of Lakewood, CO; and Isabeau Hills of Rock Springs, WY. She is also survived by 15 Great-Grandchildren: Samuel Ellison of Fargo, North Dakota; Brandon Wilkinson of USMC, stationed in Japan; Gabriel Ellison of Denver, CO; Mathew, Jonah and Greta Hills, Casper, WY; Lorne and Desmond Hills, Reliance, WY; Addison, Alyssa and Tanner Hills of Parker, CO; Katie Wilkinson of Parker, CO; and Aurelia Hills of Stillwater, OK.