Carey served in the United States Navy as an aviation mechanic for the E-2 Hawkeye and the C-2 Greyhound. His Navy adventure took him to Tennessee for training and to aviation squadrons in Jacksonville, Florida and San Diego, California before heading overseas to Japan, where he fell in love with the country and its people. Once in Asia, he deployed to Vietnam and was injured in Da Nang in a non-combat incident, ending his service. He was once aboard an E-2 Hawkeye for a check-flight, when the aircraft malfunctioned and flipped upside down. He thought that was fun, not understanding that the Hawkeye is not cleared for inverted flight, and that he was onboard for the only known incident of that happening. He earned a National Defense Service Medal and – much to the surprise of the people that knew him best at that time – a Good Conduct Medal.
In 1971, Carey married Nancy (Morse) Reifschneider, with whom he had two children, Jason and Dana. In 1989, he remarried Sandy (Cranford) Hill, who brought three children from a previous marriage: Chris, Lacey, and Haylie. Together, Carey and Sandy blended their families and embarked on a journey that spanned over three decades, creating countless memories along the way.
Carey’s outward friendliness was perhaps his most defining characteristic. He loved to meet every kind of person and share stories and laughter. Many summer evenings were spent on his patio with his wife, neighbors, and a cocktail.
Carey was preceded in death by his father, Hewett Lee Hill; his mother, Clara Evelyn Hill; and his stepmother, Altha Hill. He was also preceded by his two sisters, Muriel Cain and LaVeda Adams, and his brother, Darrel Hill. Carey is survived by his two sisters, Sandra Johnson and Cheryl Wendt.
Those who will miss him dearly include his five children: Jason (Angie) Hill of Belton, Missouri; Dana (Walt) Morgan of Boulder, Colorado; Chris (Angie) Lewis of North Platte, Nebraska; Lacey Lewis of Kearney, Nebraska; and Haylie Lewis of Weeping Water, Nebraska. Carey was also a beloved grandfather to 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
It goes without saying that Carey’s wife, Sandy, will miss him the most. She stood by his side through both the good times and the difficult ones. Sandy is an incredibly generous woman who lovingly cared for Carey, both emotionally and physically, especially in his later years. Her devotion and selflessness over the years are deeply appreciated, and we are all forever grateful for the love and care she gave him.
Services will be held at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, Nebraska, on Monday, November 25, at 11:30 AM, with burial at Fort McPherson National Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Carey's memory.
Obituary for Carey CR Hill at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home
Local arrangements under the direction of Dickey Funeral Home.