William H. (Bill) Hills, Sr., one of the great pioneers in the synthetic fibers extrusion industry, passed away on August 10, 2012 following a brief illness. Hills was a chemical engineering graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and started his professional career in 1955 with the Chemstrand Corporation, which later became the Fibers Division of Monsanto Company where he served in technical and management capacities involving nylon fibers, spunbond technology and metal spinning.
 
Hills left Monsanto in 1971 to become a founder of Hills R&D (which later became Hills, Inc) in West Melbourne, FL. He led Hills, Inc in the development and supply of advanced fiber extrusion systems until he retired in 1988. Until recently Hills remained interested in contributing to various technical projects at Hills, Inc. He was the inventor in numerous patents that significantly contributed to the advancement of technology and to the fibers industry. 

Arnold Wilkie, current president and owner of Hills Inc. said, “We are all grateful for having had the opportunity to know and work with Bill over the years.  He was a great leader and friend. His personal contributions to our company, industry and world will live forever.”