Roy C Hills

Roy C Hills, age 82, died peacefully on September 13, 2022 in Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington with his brother, Hy Hills, and niece, Courtney Hills McBeth, at his side.

Roy was born in Orem, Utah on March 19, 1940 to West Hills and Margaret Fern Rawlings. He is survived by his sister Sue (Ron) Juvenal and their two children and grandchildren; brother Hy (Sheila) Hills and their four children and grandchildren; and sister-in-law Charlotte Hills and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Ed Hills.

Roy was a gifted musician and pianist. Roy earned a full ride scholarship and bachelor’s degree in Arts from Brigham Young University (1965). He moved to Portland, Oregon where he had an amazing group of friends, including his former partner and lifelong friend Richard Jenkins. Roy also earned a master’s degree in Arts from Lewis and Clark College (1969). With his music degrees, Roy performed and taught piano to numerous students in the Portland area, including at Marylhurst University and Mt. Hood Community College. A highlight of his musical career included being elected president of the Oregon Music Teachers’ Association.

Roy moved to Seattle in 1986, furthering his education by earning certificates in business management (1986) and technology (1989). Roy spent the second half of his career working for several Seattle-based companies in computers and information technology

Roy loved to travel, taking trips to Russia, Europe, Morocco, South America, Australia, and around the United States. Roy also enjoyed running and participated in the Gay Games in NYC, Sidney, Australia, and Vancouver, B.C. He was a member of Seattle Front Runners, a Seattle gay hiking group, and PageBoys book club. He was active in supporting the LGBTQ community, volunteering for Northwest Aids Foundation/Lifelong and Seamec, a volunteer organization that interviewed Washington state and local political candidates for LGBTQ advocacy. To his friends and community, Roy was known for being kind.

A special thanks to Shawn Langdorf for his sustained support to Roy, and to the healthcare professionals at Swedish First Hill Campus Hospital who comforted Roy and supported our family during the last week of his life.

A family graveside service will be held in Provo, Utah on October 29th. Condolences can be shared on this website.