June 28, 2007 + Donald G. Hills + (updated: 8/31/07)

Donald G. Hills, 85, died Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Tufts New England Medical Center after complications from surgery. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth F. “Polly” (Jarvis) Hills, who died in 1978.
He was born in Everett, on Feb. 4, 1922, the son of the late Ralph S. and Eva (Houghton) Hills. Mr. Hills attended grade school in Everett until 1932 when the family moved to Reading, and graduated from Reading High School in 1940.
Mr. Hills worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad from November 1941 until his retirement in January of 1982, starting out as a ticket agent/telegrapher in the Reading station. He worked various ticket and freight agencies, as well as several signal towers around the Boston area before being promoted to train dispatcher in 1960.
He was a lifelong rail enthusiast, taking many photographs of trains and riding trains wherever and whenever he could. This culminated in a book of his photographs being published in 2005, something he was very proud of.
Mr. Hills was also a model railroader and was a member of the North Shore Model Railroad Club of Wakefield and a life member of the Waushakum Live Steamers of Holliston.
He is survived by two sons, Walter G. Hills and his wife, Patricia, of Danvers, and Wayne D. of Wilmington, with whom he lived from his retirement until his passing; his beloved granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth Hills; and by many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Henry Willard Hills, Eva Marie Styles, Ralph Chester Hills, Cecil Houghton Hills, and Wesley Oliver Hills.
“Last Train Home,” a celebration of the life and times of Donald G. Hills will be held for family and friends at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 21, at the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church St. (Route 62), Wilmington.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Hills memory may be made to the New England Division of the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 9119, Boston, MA 02117-9119.
Railfan friends may also wish to donate in Mr. Hills memory to the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc., Paul Giblin, President, P.O. Box 145, North Woodstock, NH 03262.