Obituary: William B. Hight, Feb. 7, 1923-May 25, 2024

For The Madera Tribune

William B. Hight.

Bill was born in Hanford, CA, to parents Hazel M. Cox Hight and Robert B. Hight. He was brought up on the family farm 2 1/2 miles south of Armona. He was ever thankful that he had been raised in a family environment of love and respect, and he and wife Elizabeth raised their family with the same philosophy.

He graduated from Armona Grammar School in 1937 and from Hanford High in 1941. While in high school he was active in student body affairs. He was on the debating team and served as student body president his Sr. Year.

Growing up on the farm he was very active in the 4-H Club program raising purebred Duroc Jersey Hogs. With the encouragement and tutelage from his U.C. Farm advisor, George H Bath, he showed and won many champion ribbons with his animals at the old south S.F. Livestock Show, the State Fair and the Tulare-Kings Co. Fair. This background had a profound influence on his career goals.

After a year at Visalia JC, Hight signed up for the U.S. Air Force, went through flight training and won his wings and commission in April 1944.

While both bill and his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Mae Brandt, were on two weeks leave (she was a wave) they decided to spend their leave on a honeymoon and were married May 31, 1944.

Returning to duty Hight reported to overseas flight training in P-38s. Upon completion of flight training he was assigned to the 13th Air Force, 347th fighter group, squadron 68, that was stationed on the Philippine Island of Palawan. From arrival to the surrender of the Japanese, he flew 43 combat missions in his beloved P-38.

Upon returning home he and Elizabeth enrolled in the spring semester at U.C. Berkeley in 1946. After a year at Berkeley, he transferred to the Davis campus to pursue a course in animal science. While doing graduate work in 1949-50 he served as Superintendent of the campus swine facility. He received his M.S. Degree in the spring of “50.”

He applied and was granted a position with the U.C. agricultural extension in July of 1950. For four years he served as farm advisor in charge of the 4-H program in Kern Co. In the fall of “54” he accepted the position of Dairy and Forage Crop Advisor and shared the livestock program with Walter Emerick, the county director of Madera Co.

Over the years, he was quite active in judging livestock at state and county fairs. For several years he served as superintendent of the swine show at both the Sr. and Jr. Cow Palace show.

Hight’s research work in ensiling crops was recognized statewide. His demonstrations on the sealing of open stacks of silage with plastic sheeting lent significant emphasis to the common practice of sealing silage stacks today.

He loved flying but resisted the impulse for 25 years because of expenses, family, and job obligations. Then in the 70s he got back into the air. He joined the local flying club and started building a little biplane out of wood and fabric. After completing that project, he decided he wanted more airplane. So, he and Jerry Standre, Fresno Co. Farm Advisor, teamed up and built an all metal RVS. A fun acrobatic aircraft.

He loved hunting and fishing. When the hills became too steep to climb, he and his partner, Carl Rimbey, turned to fishing and there were many annual forays to Montana to terrorize the rainbow and browns.

After serving for 33 years, he retired from U.C. cooperative extension in 1983. He and wife Elizabeth turned their attention to world travel for several years. They also spent more time enjoying their cabin at Central Camp and coastal property in Cayucos.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Claudia, his sisters Jeanne Ellen Bowden and Joanna lee Paden, and brother Frank Robert. He leaves behind his son Robert B Hight (wife Gail) Sebastopol, CA, Debra Walter (Mike) Hammett, ID. Also five grandsons, 13 great grandchildren, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

The family is very appreciative to Bristol Hospice and Dedicated Care for providing comfort to Dad during his last days.

Per Bills request there will be no service. Remembrance may be made to the California 4-H Foundation, 2801 Second St., Davis, CA 95618.