Gaylord Hill
Gaylord Kenneth Hill passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on November 6, 2025. He was born in West Lafayette, Ohio on April 4, 1935, to Luther Glenn and Dorothy Mae (Craigo) Hill (deceased). He is reunited with his high school sweetheart, Ina Lou. He was married to Ina Lou (Emler) Hill for 65 years, married on June 20, 1954. Ina Lou preceded him in death on November 13, 2019.
Gaylord is survived by his four children, Douglas (Nan), Dallas (Wendy), Lori (John) Woodburn, Lisa (Jay) Butler; five grandchildren, Shanna (Shane) Stanton, Jessica (Matt) Mullen, Tyler (Sarah) Hill, Kyle (Rosario) Woodburn, Kayla (Tommy) Hilliard; 11 great-grandchildren, Zayvia, Zane, Zaxton, and Zylee Stanton, Bennett, Parker, Cade, and Riley Hill, Rowan and McKenzie Mullen, Abram Woodburn, and will have a great-great granddaughter in the spring of 2026.
Gaylord is survived by a sister, Loretta (James deceased) Norman, and a brother, Glenn (Sue) Hill as well as many other family members and friends. He will also be fondly remembered by his beloved firefighters of the West Lafayette Fire Department.
A graduate of the Class of 1953 from the West Lafayette High School, Gaylord was a member of the West Lafayette United Methodist Church, and a former member of the West Lafayette Rotary Club along with the West Lafayette Community Band. He served the Village of West Lafayette as a member of the West Lafayette Fire Department for 56 years, having served as Fire Chief for 46 years, retiring in 2014. In addition, he retired after 48 years from the Jones Metal Products Company in West Lafayette in 2001 as a journeyman tool and die machinist, ending his career as the Foreman of the Hydroform Department. Gaylord received the Wall of Honor for Community Service Award from the West Lafayette Ridgewood Alumni Association in 2013. He was proud to serve his community and took immense pride in taking care of the WLFD, ensuring the care of the West Lafayette Fire Station, the firetrucks, gear, and apparatus. He followed race car driver, Dale Earnhardt and was an avid NASCAR fan, having attended the races in Atlanta and had also traveled to the Earnhardt museum in North Carolina. He enjoyed a large collection of NASCAR memorabilia. Gaylord and his wife, Ina Lou, had spent time traveling together to include a trip to Europe with their son, Doug. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A special thank you to the staff and nurses with the Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on Northpointe Drive, Zanesville, and Shriver’s Hospice who all provided excellent, kind, and loving care of our dear father.
Funeral Arrangements are in the care of The Miller Funeral Home, Main Street, Coshocton, Ohio.
Services for Gaylord will be held at the West Lafayette United Methodist Church, 120 W. Union Avenue in West Lafayette with calling hours one hour prior to the service on Tuesday November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Dan Eggan officiating. Calling hours will also be observed on Monday November 10, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at The Miller Funeral Home, Main Street, Coshocton, Ohio.
Interment will follow the funeral service on Tuesday at the West Lafayette Fairfield Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards at the West Lafayette United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Lafayette Fire Department, P.O. Box 175, West Lafayette, Ohio 43845 and/or to the West Lafayette United Methodist Church, 120 W. Union Avenue, West Lafayette, Ohio 43845; envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.
An online memorial is located at www.themillerfuneralhome.com
