Gary Wayne Hill, 62, of Pawnee, Ill., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Gary was born Nov. 30, 1949, in Pawnee, the son of Joseph R. and Lucille M. Harris Hill. He married Sandra Lynne Thomas on Sept. 29, 1969, at the Zenobia Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; a brother, Harold Raymond; in-laws, Brice and Elizabeth Thomas; and a brother-in-law, Windy Borrie. Gary was a life-long resident of Pawnee and the owner and operator of Hill Excavating since 1972. He graduated from Pawnee High School in 1968. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and a lifetime member of the NRA. Gary was well known as an expert in the field of excavating as well as one of the hardest working men out there. However his greatest accomplishment in his mind was his family. Gary's Girls, including his wife and mother, grew to include his three son-in-laws and the true lights of his life, his seven grandchildren. Gary enjoyed camping, duck and goose hunting, riding around Pawnee on his golf cart and spending time with his grandchildren. Gary was an amazingly strong and determined man both during his life and his battle with pancreatic cancer, but his dedication to being a wonderful husband, Dad, and Papa was what he excelled at best. Gary is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Pawnee; three daughters, Aimee Lynne (husband, Daniel) Kaiser, and Alana Lynnea (husband, Josh) Ward, both of Pawnee, and Allison Lynneal (husband, Jonathan) Stewart, of Auburn; seven grandchildren, Kaylie G. Stewart, Brice W. J. Kaiser, Claire L. Ward, Elizabeth M. M. Kaiser, Caden J. R. Ward, Canon J. H. Ward and Paislie L. Wayne Stewart; and his mother, Lucille M. Hill, of Pawnee. Gary is also survived by his sister-in-law, Connie (husband, Bob) Young of Pawnee; his siblings, Jim (Sharon) Hill, Mary Borrie, and Betty (David) Hankinson, as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Gary's family will meet friends Monday, Oct. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pawnee Assembly of God in Pawnee. A visitation also will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., at Pawnee Assembly of God. The Rev. Charlie Carver will officiate. Burial will be at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions honoring Gary be made to Memorial Home Hospice, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702 or the Pawnee Food Pantry in Pawnee. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Gary Hill. Service: 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30 Pawnee Assembly of God Pawnee Assembly of God 1001 N. 8th St. Pawnee, Ill. Visitation: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29 and 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30 Pawnee Assembly of God Pawnee Assembly of God