RAPID CITY - Rancher, farmer and businessman Preston L. Hill (everybody knew him as Buster) died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was 91 years old.

Buster was born Jan. 16, 1917, at Newell to Luther Henry and Kate (Kennedy) Hill, who ranched near Newell. When Buster was three-years-old, the family moved to another ranch near Vale. He graduated from the Vale High School in 1935 and attended the School of Mines in Rapid City before going back to the farm to help his parents. He married Mable Darg of Chalk Butte, on Sept. 30, 1936, at the Empire Friends Church near Vale. They moved to Yakima, WA, where Buster worked in construction, and then came back to Vale in 1937, where Buster and Mable farmed and ranched until 1945. They then bought their own operation near Vale which they expanded to include 720 acres of irrigated land and a large ranch east of Newell near Fairpoint. Buster and Mable worked the Vale farm and ranch for 19 years, raised five children and were active in community affairs. Buster served for 14 years on the boards of the Vale School District, for 12 years on the Belle Fourche Irrigation District and for 10 years on the board of the Butte County Conservation District. They were active in youth 4-H and supported all five of their children's efforts in that organization. For three years, from 1961 to 1964, they lived in Newell while continuing to operate the farm at Vale and the ranch east of Newell.

Buster was noted throughout the region for the quality of his livestock, especially for his sheep. He insisted on never trucking, but trailing his sheep from his ranch to the summer ranch at Fairpoint, a venture that took seven days across country. In 1964, Buster and Mable moved to Belle Fourche, where they operated Preston Hill Sales, selling John Deere and Hesston machinery and Studebaker automobiles. He was especially proud of having the first Studebaker Avanti in the state. In 1968, they traded the dealership for a farm and ranch six miles east of Newell, and additionally started another machinery business, selling Allis Chalmers and Brillion farm equipment. He was extremely proud of their ranch east of Newell and he worked continually in an effort to return it to its' original native condition. Buster was recognized by the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks for his efforts in conservation and game management and was featured in the South Dakota Conservation Digest.

Buster and Mable lived and worked in Newell until 1978, when they built a home in the Boulder Park Subdivision in Boulder Canyon southwest of Sturgis. They lived there for 22 years until moving to a townhouse in Sturgis in March of 2000. He and Mable had recently moved into the Fountain Springs Nursing facility in Rapid City. Buster was a 20-year member of the Dakota Chapter of the Studebaker Club. He loved Studebaker cars which he bought, fixed-up, sold and then bought more. If there was an antique car show anywhere in the area, Buster and Mable would likely be there showing off one of their latest acquisitions. Buster was also a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. In October 2007, Buster received his 60-year pin, of which he was extremely proud.

Buster's passion was fishing and hunting and he shared many memorable visits to enjoy both with his sons in Alaska. He was an avid card player and, until his later years when it became difficult for him to get around, he loved to dance, water ski and snowmobile, all at full throttle and with a fun-loving attitude that endeared him to his friends. The Buster Hill stories are many, all told with warm affection for a man who made his community and the people around him better by his presence. He wants to be remembered for having a very close family and many friends.

He is survived by three daughters, Lorelei (Dave) Andersen, Gilroy, CA, Karren (Gary) Kerr, Omaha, NE, and Sandee (Gary) Coe, Bozeman, MT; and two sons, Samuel (Diane) Hill, Hot Springs, and Brent (Dawn) Hill, Buffalo Gap.

Mable, his loving wife of 72 years, recently passed away on Oct. 4. A daughter, Marilyn, died at childbirth in 1937 and is buried in Washington State.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Joel Higgins officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery.

Memorials should go to the Shriners Children's Hospital, an organization Buster held dear to his heart for their charity medical work on behalf of underprivileged children.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and thanks for the loving care and compassion that the staff at Fountain Springs Nursing Home and the wonderful doctors and nurses of the Critical Care Unit at Rapid City Regional Hospital showed our father and mother in their final days.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.