Lawrence Gillespie Hills

Lawrence Gillespie Hills, 89, of Penney Retirement Community died Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020. He was born at home to the late Frank George and Ethel Gertrude Hills, July 14th, 1930, near South Haven MI. Larry graduated from Bangor High School and received a BA in Agricultural Economics and an MA in agriculture and teaching from Michigan State University. He married Laura Jean Porter in August 1952, and they lived together in Lacota, MI until Larry was drafted into the US Army for 2 years. He farmed in Michigan for 11 years before serving as an agricultural missionary, in both Zambia and Congo, for the United Methodist Church. He retired in 1999 and relocated to Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, FL. While in Africa, Larry saw a need for mobility for the disabled. He had a vision to improve their lives by developing a Personal Energy Transportation device (PET) and oversaw the manufacturing, assembly, and distribution of over 11665 PET units from Penney Retirement Community, and over 80,000 units at 23 sites in the US, and 2 overseas sites in Zambia and Sierra Leone.
Larry was an active member of Penney Memorial Church, and the Penney Farms Dialogue class, where he participated in discussions for opening hearts on difficult ethical questions, faith, and science. He was beloved by many around the world. He lived a life of service, dedicated to racial equality, peace, and hands-on support to those in need. Larry loved birding, gardening, writing, and reading.
Larry was preceded in death by daughter, April Sukup; son, David; and two brothers, Ed and Roger Hills.
Larry is survived by his wife, Laura, and four children: Holly McSpadden, Sharon Hills-Bonczyk, Nanda Hills, and Cheryl Clancy. He is also is survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to MW-PET Project, PO Box 919, Penney Farms, FL. 32079
His Life and Legacy will be missed.