On May 26, 1993, my sister and I lost our sons, Michael Warne and Scott Orris, who were more like brothers than cousins. They were killed together, along with Mike's old yellow dog, Gunner, when their vehicle hit a soft shoulder in the remote Alaska wilderness and plunged into a lake. They were avid outdoorsmen and were on a week long camping and fishing trip.
The two young men had a double funeral, and are buried side by side near their grandparents in Northern Lights Memorial Park.
Mike was born in Texas, but came to Alaska with maternal family in 1972 after his parents divorced. As he grew up he enjoyed the rugged outdoors of the far north. Mike worked for the Alaska State Ferry system, which was his ideal job. The love of the open sea was something he shared with his grandfather, Gene Hill, his Uncle Gary Orris, and cousins Scott, Keith and Joel Orris. While still a 'teen, Mike spent a summer on Whidby Island, WA with his grandparents where he learned to sail. He often went out on his grandfather's large boat, along with cousins and Uncle Gary. They caught many halibut and other large fish.
Mike was also a talented musician who played drums and sang with local bands. Growing up he was active in the training and showing of purebred dogs, and had a Champion golden retriever he showed in junior handling. He won many awards along the way.
He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline Hill Denning, Aunts, DeAnna Orris and Joni Hill, and cousins Keith and Joel Orris. He was preceded in death by his Uncle and namesake, Michael E. Hill, and his grandfather Eugene B. Hill. Since Mike's death, we have also lost his grandmother, Klee Hill, his favorite uncle, Gary D. Orris, and his birth father, Robert F. Warne.
Mike had red hair and hazel eyes. He was about 6'1", and towered over his 5'1" grandmother whom he called "Granny".
He is missed every day.
The two young men had a double funeral, and are buried side by side near their grandparents in Northern Lights Memorial Park.
Mike was born in Texas, but came to Alaska with maternal family in 1972 after his parents divorced. As he grew up he enjoyed the rugged outdoors of the far north. Mike worked for the Alaska State Ferry system, which was his ideal job. The love of the open sea was something he shared with his grandfather, Gene Hill, his Uncle Gary Orris, and cousins Scott, Keith and Joel Orris. While still a 'teen, Mike spent a summer on Whidby Island, WA with his grandparents where he learned to sail. He often went out on his grandfather's large boat, along with cousins and Uncle Gary. They caught many halibut and other large fish.
Mike was also a talented musician who played drums and sang with local bands. Growing up he was active in the training and showing of purebred dogs, and had a Champion golden retriever he showed in junior handling. He won many awards along the way.
He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline Hill Denning, Aunts, DeAnna Orris and Joni Hill, and cousins Keith and Joel Orris. He was preceded in death by his Uncle and namesake, Michael E. Hill, and his grandfather Eugene B. Hill. Since Mike's death, we have also lost his grandmother, Klee Hill, his favorite uncle, Gary D. Orris, and his birth father, Robert F. Warne.
Mike had red hair and hazel eyes. He was about 6'1", and towered over his 5'1" grandmother whom he called "Granny".
He is missed every day.
On May 26, 1993, my sister and I lost our sons, Michael Warne and Scott Orris, who were more like brothers than cousins. They were killed together, along with Mike's old yellow dog, Gunner, when their vehicle hit a soft shoulder in the remote Alaska wilderness and plunged into a lake. They were avid outdoorsmen and were on a week long camping and fishing trip.
The two young men had a double funeral, and are buried side by side near their grandparents in Northern Lights Memorial Park.
Mike was born in Texas, but came to Alaska with maternal family in 1972 after his parents divorced. As he grew up he enjoyed the rugged outdoors of the far north. Mike worked for the Alaska State Ferry system, which was his ideal job. The love of the open sea was something he shared with his grandfather, Gene Hill, his Uncle Gary Orris, and cousins Scott, Keith and Joel Orris. While still a 'teen, Mike spent a summer on Whidby Island, WA with his grandparents where he learned to sail. He often went out on his grandfather's large boat, along with cousins and Uncle Gary. They caught many halibut and other large fish.
Mike was also a talented musician who played drums and sang with local bands. Growing up he was active in the training and showing of purebred dogs, and had a Champion golden retriever he showed in junior handling. He won many awards along the way.
He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline Hill Denning, Aunts, DeAnna Orris and Joni Hill, and cousins Keith and Joel Orris. He was preceded in death by his Uncle and namesake, Michael E. Hill, and his grandfather Eugene B. Hill. Since Mike's death, we have also lost his grandmother, Klee Hill, his favorite uncle, Gary D. Orris, and his birth father, Robert F. Warne.
Mike had red hair and hazel eyes. He was about 6'1", and towered over his 5'1" grandmother whom he called "Granny".
He is missed every day.
The two young men had a double funeral, and are buried side by side near their grandparents in Northern Lights Memorial Park.
Mike was born in Texas, but came to Alaska with maternal family in 1972 after his parents divorced. As he grew up he enjoyed the rugged outdoors of the far north. Mike worked for the Alaska State Ferry system, which was his ideal job. The love of the open sea was something he shared with his grandfather, Gene Hill, his Uncle Gary Orris, and cousins Scott, Keith and Joel Orris. While still a 'teen, Mike spent a summer on Whidby Island, WA with his grandparents where he learned to sail. He often went out on his grandfather's large boat, along with cousins and Uncle Gary. They caught many halibut and other large fish.
Mike was also a talented musician who played drums and sang with local bands. Growing up he was active in the training and showing of purebred dogs, and had a Champion golden retriever he showed in junior handling. He won many awards along the way.
He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline Hill Denning, Aunts, DeAnna Orris and Joni Hill, and cousins Keith and Joel Orris. He was preceded in death by his Uncle and namesake, Michael E. Hill, and his grandfather Eugene B. Hill. Since Mike's death, we have also lost his grandmother, Klee Hill, his favorite uncle, Gary D. Orris, and his birth father, Robert F. Warne.
Mike had red hair and hazel eyes. He was about 6'1", and towered over his 5'1" grandmother whom he called "Granny".
He is missed every day.
Inscription
Left side has a full drum kit etched in the marker. The right side shows an etching of an Alaska State Ferry with a mountain in the background.
Middle Inscription reads "Beloved Son and Brother"
Bottom inscription reads:
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels".
"Step softly, a dream lies buried here."
Family Members
Siblings
