Arthur Wright Hills

Arthur Wright Hills, of Sylvania OH, passed away on May 18, 2021, at the age of 91. Arthur is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Pilkington Hills; his sister, Sue Weston; six children, John S. Hills (Michelle), Lee A. Hills (Lisa), Julie H. Tucker (John), Joseph Q. Hills (Mary), Benjamin E. Hills, and Jenny H. Kraus (Eric). Arthur is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Arthur was preceded in death by his sons, Steve and Stan; and his parents, Edwin and Marjorie.

Arthur lived most of his life in Toledo and Sylvania, except for a brief period when he lived in Dexter, Michigan, where he graduated from high school. Arthur graduated from Michigan State University and later earned a landscape architecture degree from the University of Michigan.

Arthur originally supported his young family as a landscape contractor. At the age of 36, in a somewhat whimsical career move, he designed a golf course - the first of several hundred designs and renovations over the next 45 years. Arthur Hills and Associates would go on to be recognized as one of the top golf course design firms in the world, but Arthur was always more gratified with his clients’ successes, rather than his own. This earnestness garnered a special place in the hearts of those with whom he worked, those who played his designs, and many others in the world of golf.

Besides working, Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf, walking in the Metroparks, eating his wife’s cooking, raking autumnal yard leaves into innumerable piles, watching St. John’s basketball, fundraising for worthy causes, and going to bed early.

Arthur left an enduring mark on the world, and he will be missed by his family and all those whose lives he impacted.

In lieu of flowers, Arthur’s preference would have been a donation to a Catholic school, Metroparks Toledo, or other charity of the donor’s choice.

Visitation will be at Reeb Funeral Home on Sunday, May 23, 2021, from 3:00 until 6:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sylvania, on Monday, May 24, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Tributes or memories of enjoying Arthur as a friend, playing, or working on an Arthur Hills golf course, or working with Arthur Hills himself, may be made at reebfuneralhome.com.  

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