01/22/2026
Kyle Eugene Hill, known and deeply loved as Gene, was born April 14, 1940, to Howard Hill and Vivienne Noe in Vanderlip, West Virginia, and passed away peacefully January 20, 2026, from the comfort of his home, at the age of 85. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026 at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Gene was the youngest of five siblings and was preceded in death by his brothers Loren Page and Clyde Franklin, as well as his sisters Eleanor and Josephine. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Shirley; his beloved daughters, Ashley, Cheryl, and Nichole; his three cherished granddaughters, Brooke, Baylee, and BriLeigh; his great-granddaughter, Coast, and his son-in-law Brandon.
Gene was a hardworking and highly skilled tradesman and craftsman throughout his life, known for his remarkable ability to make or fix nearly anything with his hands. This wealth of knowledge and practical wisdom was freely shared and lives on in the many who were fortunate enough to learn from him. He worked for 40 years at Hass Maintenance Services, where his dedication and integrity were well known.
A proud United States Army veteran, Gene enlisted at the age of nineteen. He spent much of his twenties traveling across the country before eventually settling in Kansas City, Missouri, where he met and married his beloved best friend, Shirley, who had been “living on love” since 1978.
Gene was a faithful servant of Jehovah, following his baptism and membership in the later 70’s as a brother in the Jehovah’s Witness Organization. Alongside other faithful brothers, he devoted many years to field service and wrote countless letters, hoping his words would reach and encourage others to seek Jehovah and find the same hope that grounded him throughout his life and brought him deep peace and comfort in his final years. It was this enduring faith and hope that sustained him through the hardships and physical sufferings he faced in his eighties. Though his body began to weaken, his mind and heart remained strong, uplifted by the love of his family, dear friends, and his many brothers and sisters in faith.
Above all, Gene was an exceptional man. A friend to all, a faithful husband, and a loving father and grandfather. Generous in every sense, he would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He always had time to listen and a lifetime of stories to share. Never caught up in the fleeting vanities of this world, Gene served as a quiet, steady reminder of what truly mattered.
He never allowed the cruelties of life to harden his heart, but instead lived with honesty, kindness, love, and faithful service. Gene loved western movies, collecting knives, baseball, fishing, flowers, and crafting beautiful woodworking pieces. He never met a stranger and never spoke ill of anyone. He remained in high spirits until the very end, always strong for those around him.
Gene is survived by many who will continue to cherish his memory and carry forward the lessons of a life lived with humility, faith, and love.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600
