W. Earnest Hills

W. Earnest “Earnie” Hills, aged 74 of Wellington, Florida, passed away unexpectedly October 5, 2024. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Cleon and Kristin (Gislidottir) Hills and raised in Independence, Kansas. Earnie was a 1968 graduate of Independence High School. He met his wife of 54 years in Independence, Missouri. In 1969, Earnie was a letter carrier in the Independence Post Office. He then served as a Customer Service Representative in the Kansas City, MO Post Office. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology nights at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and graduated in 1976. He was employed as a federal agent with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. His Inspection Service career took him and his growing family to domiciles in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Florida. Although his assignments varied between 1977-2006, he remained steadfast in his dedication and proud of his service in the USPIS. Earnie was a lifelong softball aficionado. He played on Inspection Service teams and enjoyed team tournaments, including in New Jersey and Nevada. In retirement, he continued playing on senior league teams until his knees screamed, “NO MORE”! Earnie loved to dance. He and Terri preferred Jitterbug, but also danced Latin and Ballroom. The highlight of this hobby was a dance competition win in Miami that they’d entered on a whim in 1998. This sent them to Hollywood for the 20th Anniversary re-release of the movie GREASE. Earnie loved his family and enjoyed traveling to visit or welcome relatives wherever he called home. He especially enjoyed two trips to Iceland in 1974 and 1993 to visit his maternal relatives. Family gatherings were among his most cherished activities. He is survived by his wife, Terri, sons Trey, CJ (Loren), sister, Stella (Steve) Harper, brothers, Jack (Cindy), John (Gaye), 2 nieces, 2 nephews, 2 great nieces, and many cousins. Earnie was preceded in death by his parents and his aunts and uncles. Earnie’s frequent laugh, the mischievous twinkle in his eye and boyish glee when he found a “bargain” will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024 in the Panther Room, Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd.,Wellington, FL from 2:30 p.m.--4:30 p.m. Please feel free to bring pictures or memories to share.

W. Earnest Hills

March 27, 1950 - October 5, 2024