It was a call I just never wanted to receive. Our buddy Al Hill passed away in his sleep at his home in Idaho. Al and I met on the football field in Costa Mesa playing Jr All American back in elementary school 40yrs ago. From that point on we were buds, as Al’s dad would say. It wasn’t just Al now either as it was our families too. Al’s mom and dad were everywhere helping coach, building, paying for equipment for the teams and having team meals. Al’s dad ran Hill’s Welding on Paularino and you could always stop by the shop to see Al, Don or Gary welding a sled, trailer or just some ideas for some things that were needed. Mom would always invite us for dinner and we would sit in the garage listening to the coaches watching a game or throwing the ball in the street or backyard with the team. Al and I would try to throw the ball but younger brother Don had the arm. They would tease us and say we had clubs for arms so we had better stay on defense and we did. Al was on the defensive line and put at nose guard because he would just do about anything to get a tackle and just hit somebody. I was the linebacker right behind him hitting his waist telling him which way I was blitzing the QB. We racked up the tackles and sacks at Mesa getting MVP of the Week, getting skeletons for our helmets and just having a great time playing ball. At school Al would always be up to something at the farm helping out hauling something in his Blue El Camino. He would be ready at lunch to drive as fast and crazy as he needed to so we could get to McDonald’s or Burger King before everyone else. We had some great times in that El Camino more stories than I can possibly write here but it was also the car I got my first speeding ticket in with Al by my side. No matter where Al went if it was the Army or when he moved to Idaho he was always by my side giving me a call or texting. He would show up with flowers for our wives, make cookies and hand out our candy at Halloween so kids could candy at our house while we took our kids around the block. If you knew him and the Hill’s you would know they are hilarious. You could always count on a good joke. We would always be contacting each other every week or two about something. It could be sports, weather in Idaho, job and families. He text me last giving me an idea for a Mother’s Day Gift for my wife Carrie. Al’s heart was big under that rough exterior, he didn’t have a family of his own but he would do anything for Mom and Don’s Family. He would brag about his nephews frequently with pictures and jokes. I know he would want us all to watch over the Hill’s family during this time. Al didn’t want a service he just wanted everything to be about his family and not himself so in lieu of flowers I have setup this GoFundMe so we can help Mom and the Hill's fix up the home for Mom to move into it just as Al would want.

We love you Al and will miss you more than you know!