Frank D. Hills, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
March 31, 1934 – February 03, 2025

PORT ALLEGANY – It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our father, Frank Delbert Hills.

Frank passed away peacefully Monday (Feb. 3, 2025) at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg. Frank was born on March 31, 1934, in Port Allegany, the eldest son of Everett G. and Doris A. Johnson Hills.

He was a 1956 graduate of Pennsylvania State University and upon graduation, Frank was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant, assigned to San Antonio for flight school. It was there, on a blind date, that he met LaVonne Oetjen and they married Nov. 22, 1956. For 21 years Frank proudly served in the USAF as a helicopter pilot. His assignments stretched from Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, to Vandenberg AFB in California, to Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C., to Vietnam. While Frank was assigned to Vietnam, he flew 200 combat missions including a successful helicopter rescue behind enemy lines whilst under fire. For this he received the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. His last assignment was as USAF liaison officer to the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol. Frank retired from the Air Force in May 1977 with the Command Pilot rating and nearly 7,000 hours of flying time.

Frank and LaVonne moved back to Port Allegany where he became active in the Port Allegany community serving as Borough Council president, treasurer of the Exchange Club, and financial secretary for Trinity United Methodist Church. Frank was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons and National Sojourners and was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, the USAF Helicopter Pilots Association, and the Military Officers Association. He served as office manager for Witter Gas and Oil Co. before retiring a second time and moving with LaVonne to Bluffton, S.C. Frank and LaVonne enjoyed traveling and their many stays with their six grandchildren.

Frank was predeceased by LaVonne, who died May 15, 2006. He and LaVonne had two children, a son, Everett C. (Therese) of Camp Hill, and a daughter, Perianne (Gavin) Graham of London, England, and Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Additional survivors are his and LaVonne’s six grandchildren, Ashley (Jaime) Moreno of Washington, D.C., Kevin Hills of Pittsburgh, Caroline Hills of Baltimore, Edward Graham of Weymouth, UK, Eleanor Graham of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Elizabeth Graham of London, England; his brother, Thomas E. (Erlean) Hills of Darlington; his sister-in-law, Shirley Beaver; his nieces, Beth (Brian) Wolterman, Juli (Brian) Jeffries, Kelsey (Benjamin) Huebsch and Whitney (Edward) Frindt; and nephews, Dean (Michelle) Hills and Brad Bentsen.

With the love and support of LaVonne, Frank proudly served his country, fostered strong, loving ties with family near and far, and always had stories and jokes to tell that he closed with his contagious laugh and broad smile.

Our family is deeply grateful to Dr. Faith Matzoni, the nursing staff, and caregivers at Messiah Lifeways; your care and respect for Frank were daily blessings to him and our family.

Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday (Feb. 14, 2025) at Port Allegany United Methodist Church where funeral services will follow with the Rev. James A. Cannistraci as officiant. Military rites will be accorded by members of the Port Allegany Honor Guard. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany. Memorial donations may be made to Messiah Lifeways at messiahlifeways.org. Arrangements are under direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, Port Allegany. Online condolences may be expressed at olneyfoust.com.