Herbert Gray Hills Jr.

October 10, 1924 - May 22, 2018

Herbert G. Hills Jr. passed away on May 22, 2018. He was 93 years old. Born in Oakland, CA, he was raised and attended schools in his home town of Piedmont, CA. He attended college at UC Berkeley and also, began working at his family’s coffee manufacturing business, Hills Bros. Coffee in San Francisco. His career there was punctuated by service to his country in the US Army during WW II. Herbert was a radio repairman who saw active duty on the front lines including the Battle of the Bulge. After his return from Germany, he resumed his career in the coffee business. Herbert was instrumental in the expansion of Hills Bros. Coffee into a national brand. He married his wife, Doryce Veitch, in 1946 and together raised four children. Following his retirement, Herbert moved to Reno in 1977 and resided in the local area until his death. Over the years, he played a large roll in preserving his family’s long standing involvement in the Bollibokka Land Company, which included a fishing club along the McCloud River in Northern California. Herbert is survived by Doryce, his children, Gray Hills, Blair Hills, Leighton Hills and Leia Simmons ( Stan), his five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Herbert possessed a great intellect and willingly shared his understanding of many subjects. Along with his phenomenal memory, his cheerful and considerate nature will be greatly missed.