Gaylord "Pete" Hill, 94, Adrian, MO, died Monday, March 23, 2009 in Overland Park, KS. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church of Adrian. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Friends may call 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Adrian, P.O. Box 126, Adrian, MO 64720 or Adrian Lions Club, P.O. Box 81, Adrian, MO 64720.

Gaylord was born August 2, 1914 in Arapahoe, NE, the son of William Edward Hill and Clara Bell (Wright) Hill. Moving to Adrian with his family in 1927, he later graduated from Adrian High School, where he met, and later married his wife of 55 years, Margaret Cummins. Gaylord spent his final months in the Overland Park home of Sam and Jane Doerflinger, where he received constant loving attention and care, surrounded by his family and friends.

A long-time, prominent member of the Adrian community, Gaylord, his wife and several family members operated the family trucking business, Hill's Truck Line, until its sale in 1985. Known as a kind and generous employer, he was also an active civic leader, serving two terms as Mayor of Adrian, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees of Bates County Memorial Hospital. Gaylord was a charter member of the Adrian Lions Club, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his work and contributions, as well as a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. He was awarded a Lifetime Membership to the Adrian, MO Chamber of Commerce as a part of the "Pete Hill Day" celebration for his lifetime of civic service to the community of Adrian. He was also presented with resolutions from the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate acknowledging his lifetime of civic contributions.

An active member of the First United Methodist Church for 82 years, he sang in the church choir as long as his health permitted, and assisted his wife Margaret in teaching the TNT Sunday School class. Pete's contributions to the community he loved were numerous: founding and operating the Adrian Taxi Service for seniors, volunteering for the local meals on wheels, coordinating many fundraising events for the Lions Club, maintaining the city's flowerpots and decorating the town for the holidays. An avid gardener and fisherman, he was happiest when surrounded by his many family members.

Gaylord was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Ann. He is survived by many generations of family members, including 3 grandchildren, 3 nephews, 2 nieces and many great-grandchildren.