Final Salute

Born March 17, 1950 in Ogden, Utah to Wendell Orla Hill and Mary Ellen Russell Hill. Rusty passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2023 surrounded by his family at the age of 73. Rusty met Nancy Fleming on a blind date, and they later married on March 1, 1969 and remained married for 54 years. Rusty served in the Navy from 1969 to 1972 as a Seabee. When he received his draft papers, it stated he was being sent to Guam; as a 19-year-old he thought that was short for Vietnam. The great part since it was Guam, he was able to bring his wife and baby daughter.

He battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 23 plus years but never let it stop him from enjoying family and friends. He worked hard and enjoyed every job he had. He worked at Child Brothers, worked and was a partner in Fleming Construction with his brother-in-law Rich, Hali drill and then went to Western Zirconium (WZ) from where he retired. While at WZ he realized the need for an on-site Fire Department and worked to get it set up, and all the training needed. He was very proud of this achievement. He also had a few patents that he developed for WZ and was proud of all of the improvements he contributed to. He retired from WZ due to MS. He would get calls from the insurance/disability group asking if he was ready to return to work from disability and he would say – “did they find a cure for MS because I would love to go back to work.”

Rusty was the guy everyone called when they needed help, and he always went. Whether it was to help move something, build something, or just to talk he was that guy. He played hard too, riding horses and rodeo (Challengers Riding Club), four wheelers, golfing, travel, hunting, turkey shoots, and fishing. He was so very loved by all his family and friends and once you became his friend you were family.

He is survived by his wife, and siblings David (Nena) Hill, Mary (John) Jones, Leah Brunell, and Jeana Hill Hale, Myra (Ken) Tams, Sam (Janette) Fleming, Sue Ropelato, Pat (Rich deceased) Fleming. Three children Shauna (Leon) Lyon, Lance (Michelle) Hill, and Stacy (Dennis) Day; nine grandchildren Katelyn (Devin) Harmon, Whitney (Adam) Walker, Isaac (Gabby) Hadley, Kelley (Baylee) Hill, Blake (Brin) Hill, Brodie (Brianna) Day, Taylor (Megan) Day, Belair (Emily) Lyon, Hudson Lyon and thirteen great grandchildren Ryan, Ashtyn, Izaac, Dominic, Kayzleigh, Kase, Cohan, Greyson, Canyon, Sara, Zae’Lyn, Taven, and Draiden.

He was preceded in death by his Parents Wendell Orla Hill and Mary Ellen Russell Hill, mother-in-Law Mary Fleming, brother-in-law’s Richard (Rich) Fleming and Darrin Brunell, nephew Michael Tams, sister-in-law Carolyn Fleming, niece Nataya Fleming, niece Heather Naline Marrs, nephew Bruce Scott Marrs, great grandsons Jack Day and Archie Harmon; friends Adin Roylance, Jeff Wade, Jim Wilson.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Inspiration Home Health and Hospices for the exceptional support and love they provided Rusty. A special thank you to Sherry, Ashley, and Simon who cared for him with Love.

We encourage all that attend his viewing and funeral to honor Rusty by wearing red or your favorite University of Utah gear.

Monday, September 18th will be the viewing for friends and family from 12:00pm to 1:45pm, the funeral will start at 2:00pm, Leavitt’s Mortuary 836 36th street, Ogden, Utah. Interment at Hooper Cemetery 5350 S. 6300 W., Hooper, UT.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Wendell Russell (Rusty) Hill, please visit our flower store.