… Greensburg (Indiana) Daily News, February 1951: “Adding drama to an already
thrilling basketball game Saturday evening on the hardwood at Greensburg’s
Community Gym, the Jackson Tigers dethroned defending champion Greensburg 59
to 58 for their first Sectional Title. Don Hill added the drama as he was
awarded a foul shot as the gun sounded. After discussing the play with the
tourney timer, the officials handed Hill the ball for the free chance on a
personal foul ruling that would give Jackson the championship or put the game
into an overtime…. After a last deep breath and gaze at the basket Hill
dropped the spheroid through to end the game… In a few fleeting seconds, the
Jackson team was surrounded by a solid mass of Jackson followers, who had
held their breath in fear as Hill stepped to the line…Hill’s free toss was
still descending through the nets when the [600] Jackson fans jammed the
floor…” Donald Edward Hill, who passed from this life on Saturday, October
7 th , 2023, was born at home in Sardinia, IN November 29 th , 1934, to Ross and
Zula (Scroggins) Hill. He and his brothers, Jim and Tom, roamed the southern
Decatur County countryside, hunting, fishing and just being teasing and
rascally good-hearted country boys. After he graduated from Jackson Township
High School in 1952, he briefly worked power line company and then went off
to the US Army to serve his country. He was stationed with the 25 th Infantry
at Schofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu. When he returned from active
service he went to work for Western Electric, Indiana Bell, in which
eventually became AT&T. He married Sherry Lynn Adams of Greensburg in April
of 1962. Don was a member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion, over 50
years, and Scottish Rite having entered in at the Alert, IN Lodge in 1958. He
was a member of the CWA and retired from AT&T Technologies. The skilled
woodsman who loved hunting and fishing with his son, family, and friends in
addition to, Indiana Spring mushrooming and good slice of German chocolate
cake. Even more, he loved his only grandchild, George Ross Morpurgo, who
spent many days with his beloved “Papa.” Don is survived by his children,
Krista Hill (Bruce Giddings), Jackson, MI, his son, Bryce Hill, Indianapolis;
grandson George R. Morpurgo, Bloomington, IN; nephews Troy (Judy) Hill of
Westport, IN, Michael (Amy) Hill of Charlotte NC; nieces Peggy Hill Abney of
Albuquerque, NM and Michelle Hill Hall of NC. He was preceded in death by his
parents and brothers. Services for Don will be held at Bass and Gasper
Funeral Home on Friday, October 20, 2023, with calling from 10am to 12pm and
burial services, military rites following at Bear Creek Baptist Church
Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be made to Shriner’s Hospital for
Children or to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. The family are eternally
grateful for all his friends and others who touched his life. Online
condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com
