Kevin Hills

Kevin Lavern Hills, of Cheney, Washington, left this earth on June 19, 2019 after a two-year battle with stroke recovery.

Kevin was born to Butch and Maudie Hills in Wenatchee, WA on June 28, 1965, his Great Grandad Wilson Evans’ 65th birthday, creating a special bond. Kevin grew up in Leavenworth, WA, attending schools in Leavenworth and Wenatchee. While in school, Kevin was very active in Boy Scouts of America with his highlight being Order of the Arrow. Kevin graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1984. After high school, he went on to pursue a career in the United States Navy, however, an injury early on ended his career in the military, which he would regret the rest of his life. After his recovery, Kevin went on to become an EMT with the Cascade Ambulance and also volunteered as a firefighter with the Leavenworth Fire Dept. 

Kevin’s first marriage produced two daughters. Heather Leaunna and Ericka Louise, who he was raising on his own when a chance encounter at an SCA event brought him face to face with the woman that would be his true match in life, Kelli French. Kevin and Kelli were married in January of 1994 welcoming son Kyal Lewis later that year. Kelli encouraged Kevin and renewed his life long love of learning. 1n 1999 Kevin graduated in social sciences from Wenatchee Valley College. Later that year with encouragement from Kelli and his college mentor, an EWU alum, the family moved to Cheney for Kevin to pursue a degree in education. Expecting to stay only a couple of years they soon found out that Cheney and EWU were where they belonged. Kevin really found his niche in the DSS department where he was director at the time of his death.

While finishing up his senior year at EWU, Kevin decided that their family was still missing someone. While student teaching and still working in the DSS office, Kevin and Kelli greeted their youngest daughter, Bridget Lizbeth to the family. Seven years younger than her older brother, she soon captured the hearts of the family and Kevin would discover later she could match his wit.

Kevin completed his education degree along with a teaching certificate in 2001 and a Masters in Social Work in 2011. He was also near completion of Licensure in Counseling at the time of his death.

In 2012, Kevin had an unexpected addition to the family when he happily connected with his son Brandin from a previous relationship.

Kevin exposed the family and the community to his sense of humor, love of history and science fiction as well as his love for his favorite holiday…HALLOWEEN. Many neighborhood children have been exposed to the trick in trick or treat as Kevin invented various costumes to sneak around the outside of the house and surprise the unsuspecting victims. He got to put this to use playing a zombie for 4 seasons on the SyFy series Z Nation. Something he was very proud of.

In recent years, his relationships with several student veterans led to his involvement with the American Legion as a way to help veterans who were not Eastern students and a new hobby in long range shooting.

Kevin looked for every opportunity to reach out and partner with various agencies across Washington State to support students with disabilities. Even while he was meeting with and undergoing treatments for his own health concerns over the last few years, conversations would often turn to that of the students for which he felt so passionate.

Kevin leaves behind a huge hole in the lives of those who loved him and his humor and goofy faces will forever be missed.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife Kelli, son Kyal and daughter Bridget all of the family home; daughters Heather Hills and Ericka Hills both of Spokane Valley; son Brandin (Casey) Talley of Wenatchee, WA.; parents Butch and Maudie Hills of Leavenworth, WA.; sister Kris Kraus of Peshastin, WA,; 8 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a special brother-in-law Jeff Kraus of Peshastin.