Judge Ralph Austin Hill

Judge Ralph Austin Hill, age 92 of Milford passed surrounded by his family on March 15, 2017 at his residence. He was born July 6, 1924 in Newtonsville, the son of Manly Austin and Lucy Lucille (nee Work) Hill. He attended Newtonsville School and graduated from the Milford High School class of 1942. After attending one year at Miami University he entered the military serving as a paratrooper in the Army Airborne Infantry during WWII. During the Battle of the Bulge he was wounded, receiving a Purple Heart. After completing his military service, Ralph returned to Miami University completing his undergraduate work and entered the University of Cincinnati Law School graduating in 1947. That same year he married his wife, June Hardoerfer Hill, who preceded him in death a year ago..The first law firm that he partnered with in 1949 was Walker & Bradford of Batavia and became the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney from 1953 to 1956. Ralph's law career grew over the years becoming Prosecuting Attorney from 1956 to 1964, elected as a Judge to the Clermont County Court from 1967 to 1970 and finally from 1971 to 1981 as the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Clermont County. Over the years Ralph held the positions of Past President of the Clermont County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cincinnati Bar Association. Ralph was very active in the community serving in numerous capacities. He and his wife were members of the Milford First United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees along with serving as Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committe. Ralph was Past Master of Hamer Masonic Lodge F&AM in Owensville and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Cincinnati. By serving his country he became Past Commander of the Victor Steir American Legion Post #450 along with being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Afton Post 40/8 American Legion. Ralph was also Past President on the Board of Directors during the construction of the Clermont County YMCA and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Clermont Mercy Hospital. The Milford School System was important to Ralph serving on the Board of Education from 1965 through 1970. For his dedication to his Alma Mater and his community he was inducted into the Milford High School Hall of Fame in 1987. He held a fondness for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, United Appeal just to name a few. He is survived by his daughters and spouses; Trudy and Gus Baumgartner, Greta and Frank Nelson, Joy and Michael Stevens, grandchildren; Nicole Lay, Angela Irving, Amber Fowler, Ryan, Chad and Breanna Siegel, Megan and Jacob Stevens, Emily Nelson, 10 great grandchildren, and preceded in death by his brother Donald Hill and sister Bonnie Larimore. Services will be 11:30AM Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Milford First United Methodist Church, 541 Main St., Milford, 45150 with visitation from 10AM until the time of service. Reverend Clark Hess will officiate. Burial will follow in the Batavia Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorials in his honor be made to the Milford First United Methodist Church or to the Clermont County Bar Association Scholarship Fund