Friends and colleagues of the late William “Bill” J. Hill Jr. shared their thoughts on the Lehighton school director’s recent passing. Hill, 63, died Friday.

His grasp of construction was invaluable as the school district explored a $32.5 million K-5 elementary center building project, said Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver.“Bill was a great member for the Lehighton educational community,” he said. “He was very committed to doing what he thought was best for the taxpayers and the students. He spent a lot of time doing paperwork, and had a strong construction background, which really helped.“Bill was one of the members who, when they talked ‘construction language’, he understood them. He had worked on big construction projects, so he had a thorough understanding (of what was involved),” Cleaver said.“He’ll be missed by the entire Lehighton educational community. On behalf of the school district, our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time,” he said.Rocky Ahner served on the board with him for a number of years. “Bill would casually talk about his football days in Philly or his picture on the wall with Governor Rendell. But the most astonishing thing is Bill’s accomplishments in his short life — being an alternate on the Olympic wrestling team, union president, and the voice for the Lehighton taxpayers,” Ahner said.“I’m fortunate and honored to have had a friend in Bill Hill, the gentle giant who looked out for the little guy.”