Karey Hill

As all who knew and loved Karey Hill will certainly agree, he truly understood the secret to a life well lived, and he never took a single moment for granted. He was a constant source of quiet strength, even in the most difficult of times. Nothing brought Karey greater joy than surrounding himself with his friends and family. His love for those around him was limitless, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Dearly loved and already so greatly missed, Karey will be forever remembered and cherished.

The mid 1940s are remembered as some of the most tumultuous years in history, both here in the United States of America and around the world. WWII had taken a devastating toll, and many brave servicemen had been called away from home. Those who remained stateside faced strict rationing on food and materials and gathered around their radios, waiting for good news. In September of 1945, celebration erupted as the war came to an end at last. There was so much happiness in the household of James and Arlene Estella Hill of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they announced their own good news, the arrival of their son. Born on November 13, 1945, Karey Lee was one of three children in the Hill family and was raised alongside his two siblings, Dale and LaVonne.

Growing up, Karey was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home on Grand River Drive in Ada, Michigan. Karey’s father, James, worked for the Kent County Road Commission while his mother, Arlene, handled administrative work for Amway. Holidays were always spent with family, and Christmas held especially wonderful memories for Karey.

Of all the things Karey loved in life, his family was his greatest treasure. He and Saundra (Wenger) Hill were overjoyed to become parents to their two beloved children, Christopher and Karen. They raised their family in the Grand Rapids area. Karey thrived in his role as a father, and his kids were his pride and joy. When Chris and Karen were young, the Hills enjoyed spending their summers with extended family at Pineview Resort on Arbutus Lake near Traverse City. They also took trips to visit Dale’s family in North Carolina, as well as many memorable vacations to various beautiful locations including Houghton Lake, Disney World, Sea World, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Mammoth Caves. Karey once chaperoned Karen and a group of her friends to an NSYNC concert in Florida.

As a father, Karey was both a doting dad and a dedicated provider for his family. For over 38 years, he worked as an equipment purchaser for Meijer. Karey’s career allowed him to provide for himself and those who depended on him. He could be a strict disciplinarian when it came to his kids, but he was usually a calm, level-headed leader. Karey always made sure Chris and Karen knew just how much they were loved. He gave freely of his time and energy, driving the children to many of their academic and extracurricular activities in their younger years. In the summer of 2015, Karey went to visit Chris in Seattle and enjoyed taking in all of the sights. He was truly the rock of his family in good times and bad, and he stepped up to help care for his mother as her health began to decline.

In his free time, Karey was never one to sit still for long. He enjoyed fishing and hunting deer. Karey always had a DIY project going around the house, and he put his green thumb to good use in his garden. Karey liked doing crossword puzzles, and he was an avid reader of many history and political books. His prized record collection was filled with classics and iconic artists like the Beatles. Karey’s favorite restaurants included Vitale’s Pizza and Mr. Fables. Yesterdog was a more recent place that became one of his staples. Karey loved grilling everything from hot dogs and burgers to steak, and nothing satisfied his sweet tooth like German chocolate cake. He was always in charge of preparing the holiday meals. In all things, Karey was meticulous, organized, and determined to see it through.

When reflecting on the life and legacy of Karey Hill, it is easy to see both his unwavering perseverance and his unconditional love for his family. Though he could be on the quiet side, he made sure his words mattered. A devoted brother, uncle, and father, Karey savored every moment he got to hold his loved ones close. He was a powerful role model of hard work and compassion, and his generosity has left an impact that will not soon be forgotten. Although life will not be the same without Karey here, he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his friends and family will forever keep near and dear to their hearts.

Karey Lee Hill, age 80, of Grand Rapids passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home and in the company of his family on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. He was born in the fall of 1945 to the late James Jay and Arlene (Morrison) Hill in Grand Rapids, MI, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, Christopher of Lakewood Ranch, FL and Karen of Grand Rapids, and by their mother Saundra (Wenger) Hill. Also surviving are his brother Dale (Jo Lynn) of Charlotte, NC and their children and grandchildren, his sister LaVonne (Jerry) Parsh of Baltimore, MD and their children and grandchildren, as well as several cousins. Karey will be laid to rest next to family in Fairplains Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Hospice, (401 Hall St. SW #263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) https://emmanuelhospice.org/, or to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) at https://bloodcancerunited.org/.

To leave a memory, read Karey’s life story, or sign the online guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com. A memorial will be held this summer; to be alerted, please email karey.hill.memorial@gmail.com.