Karl Edward Hill, devoted husband and father, departed this world and went to be with our Lord on May 22, 2023 at the age of 58, while at his home in Columbus, Texas.
Karl was born on July 25, 1964 and raised in Columbus by his parents, Allan and Jane Hill. The youngest of three boys, Karl grew up enjoying the outdoors, a love he cultivated at a young age- horseback riding, hunting, and fishing on the Hill Ranch. Karl graduated from Columbus High School in 1983. Whether it was playing in the state golf tournament, speech and drama club, or football, Karl began participating in a myriad of organizations early in his life. This drive for in- volvement and service in his community flourished throughout his life. After graduating from Columbus High School, Karl moved to San Marcos and attended Southwest Texas and played rugby while earning his degree in Economics in 1987. Continuing on with his education, Karl headed to Southern Methodist University (SMU) and graduated from The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in 1994.
Karl’s 35 year career at The First State Bank began in 1988. He served the bank in many capacities over his decades-long career.
Titles he held included Loan Officer, Executive Officer, Director, and President. Most recently, Karl was CEO and Chairman of the Board. The bank was his family’s business and a business that Karl was driven not only to participate in but to help grow and develop with the changing times and expansion of Columbus. The employees at The First State Bank were family to Karl. Many of them raised children together, spent holidays together, and had lifelong friendships.
Karl and his family attended Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. Desiring a strong and steady religious foundation for his children, each of them attended Saint Anthony Catholic School. Being the man of service that he was, Karl served at various times as a member of the school's Advisory Council, and at the time of his death he was their President. He also held a variety of other roles at Saint Anthony’s including coaching basketball and football.
But his service didn’t end there. In addition to the school, Karl was a past member and President of the Columbus Rotary Club and a past board member at Columbus Community Hospital. In his professional capacity, Karl served as a past Director of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), and at one time served as President and Director of South Central Texas Bankers Association.
Karl loved the outdoors as a child and that carried into his adulthood. There was his yearly hunting trip for elk and mule deer in Colorado that he never missed, waterskiing, snow-skiing, and riding Harleys with friends. Those were all activities that made his heart soar.
Karl no doubt loved nature. But what not very many people know, is that he was also a very talented artist. He created some of the most vibrant and unique paintings that would probably surprise even many of his friends. As life got busier and busier, finding time to paint became difficult. But the home that Karl and Julie built together shows what an incredible eye and mind Karl had for aesthetics. The detail and care taken are a true reflection of his artist heart and shar ing that with his wife and children brought him immense pride and gratitude for all they were creating and all they were blessed with.
As much dedication as Karl offered to his community, his business, and his personal pastimes, his true passion was his family and loved ones. His love for his family was unapologetically big.
Karl began his tenure as a parent being a father to three girls- Savanah, Chloe, and Mia. He enjoyed taking them after school to check cattle and share his love and adoration for nature with their young hearts. His daughters can all attest to the fact that he was a terrific "girl dad" that would paint french manicures and color hair with the store bought pull-through highlight caps. As children, and as adults, Karl was an anchor for the girls. Be it grade school bullying or adult relationship woes, Karl reminded his girls of their strength in who they are and the importance of knowing what mattered most- family.
In 2005 Karl married Julie Glueck. Karl and Julie was a love story cut too short, but in the time they shared, it was full of love, laughter, and conquering life together as partners. Karl liked to tease Julie, one example of this was having her listed as "OMB" in his cell phone. This is because when they were out and he would ask her if she was ready to leave, her response was always "one more, baby". Seemingly small but loving bits like this, showing his attentiveness and playfulness, only reiterates the time Karl took to make those he loved know how special they were to him.
Later in their marriage, little did Karl know, God was going to flip the script on him and see how he handled raising boys. After the birth of Karl and Julie’s three sons- Ezra, Caswell, and
Finley (affectionately called "Tito" by his Dad), Karl was given the opportunity to share with his boys more of what he loved. Whether it was golfing, fishing, or hunting, Karl appreciated and loved every single minute of that time.
Karl’s grandchildren, Calvin and Charlotte, brought even more light to his eyes. They en- joyed swimming with Pappe in his pool, almost as much as he did.
Having a large family meant that life was always busy, and in that Karl thrived. Karl enjoyed coaching all 6 of his kids’ sports teams during different seasons, and he also loved spending quality time with them at their home. Sitting around playing poker or dominos with his family and friends was all he needed to unwind and enjoy himself.
With the obligations and time restraints of each member of the family, getting away and finding time to spend at LBJ Lake was sometimes difficult but a much needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, so it was always prioritized. The countless days spent lounging on the porch, throwing the kids around on tubes, long boat rides, and leisurely afternoons at the sand bar will be forever in all of their hearts and a lasting memory of what happens when you put the rest aside and truly focus on each other.
The week before Karl's passing, he was texting with his daughter and he said, "Seems like you catch your breath and then something else happens. Life is quick and family is the most important."
Karl is survived by his loving wife Julie Glueck Hill; daughter Savanah Hill, daughter Chloe Werland and husband Jeff, and daughter Mia Hill; sons Ezra, Caswell, and Finley Hill; daughters’ mother Cindy Hanak Hill; and two grandchildren: Calvin and Charlotte Hoelscher.
He is also survived by his mother Jane Hill; older brother Stuart Hill; sister-in-law Patti Hill; and nieces Stacey Lowe and Julia Hill.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Hill, his oldest brother, Mark Hill, and his nephew Christopher Hill.
Karl was a presence in so many different aspects of our lives that his absence will undoubtedly leave gaps and fuel grief in all of us. But as we continue on, remembering him and a life well lived, we can all try and honor his legacy of loving unapologetically big and serving wherever it may be needed.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2pm at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. At the conclusion of the service, a reception to commemorate the life of Karl will take place at the Live Oak Art Center. This will be a time to rejoice and celebrate the love we have for Karl and that he had for each one of us.
In lieu of flowers, Karl's family would greatly appreciate donations made to Saint Anthony Catholic School, P.O. Box 125, Columbus, Texas 78934 or Columbus Volunteer Fire Depart ment, 602 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas 78934.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com. Henneke Funeral Home. Columbus, Texas
