Larry 'Lar' Lavon Hill

Larry “Lar” Lavon Hill, 57, died Jan. 16, 2010, at his home in Missoula following complications from asbestosis.

He was born Dec. 1, 1952, in Libby, the youngest son of Eugene and Patricia Hill. He began a career as a butcher during his junior year of high school with an apprenticeship under Merritt Dutton. He cut meat for 34 years until 2006 when asbestosis forced his retirement from Diamond Bar Meats.

He married Jeanette “Jenie” Buhl on Aug. 9, 1981, at the family cabin on Middle Thompson Lake.

Mr. Hill enjoyed golf, fishing and his cats, Lulu and Cub.

He is survived by his wife; son, Coby Spencer and wife Deann and twin granddaughters, Addison and Sophia – all of Missoula; daughter, Kara Hirzel and husband Gary, grandson Caleb and granddaughter Shelby, of Lompoc Calif.; parents, Eugene and Patricia Hill; and father and mother-in-law, Bill and Jean Buhl – all of Libby; brothers, Edward Hill and wife Angie of Kalispell; Robert and wife Debbie Hill of Libby; sisters-in-law Linda and husband Dennis Day; and Billie Jo Jones and husband Curt of Libby; and Diane Hill of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska; and brother-in-law, David Buhl of Libby.

Mr. Hill requested that memorials be sent to the Humane Society of Western Montana, Pet Connection in Troy, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease clinic in Libby or Hospice of Missoula.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Jan. 30 from noon-2 p.m., at the family home in Missoula, 2222 42nd St.

The family plans to scatter ashes this coming summer at Middle Thompson Lake.