Robert Lewis Hill

Robert Lewis (Bob) Hill died at White Hall Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility. He was born in Pine Bluff, Friday, March 9, 1923, the youngest son of the late George Randolph and Mary Mae Borecky Hill. Bob graduated from Pine Bluff High School in the 1941 class. This was the graduating class whose members left their high school years and walked directly into World War II. In January 1943, during World War II, he was drafted into the United States 8th Army Air Force. There he served in the Signal Corps for the next three years. While in the European Theater of War, he was stationed in England, France and Germany. He was in England during the height of Hitler's Blitz bombings. After the war years, Bob returned to Pine Bluff and began his employment with the Pine Bluff Post Office in 1948. He retired in 1981. After retiring from the Postal Service, Bob entered a second career, as an independent consultant/coordinator in general home construction. He approached his careers with enthusiasm. Often he would quote his favorite motto: "Find something you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life." This was framed and placed in his office. Bob was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NAFE). Through the years he received a number of commendations for his volunteer work on various projects in community and civic organizations. In addition to his business and civic accomplishments, what pleased him the most was his family. He was a considerate husband, wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and known to his family as a loving and genuinely nice person. His membership was in the Watson Chapel Baptist Church. Bob taught youth in Sunday School for over 30 years. He was an ordained Baptist deacon. Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years. Mayme K. "Tess" Nicholson Hill. They were married on September 10, 1949, in the home of Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Dodd at Little Rock. Charles Lowry officiated. Other survivors include one son, William Robert "Bill" Hill and wife Donna of Jacksonville, Ark.; a daughter, Leann Hill Parnell and husband James of White Hall, Ark.; three grandchildren, Russell McKay Parnell and Shannon Roberts of White Hall, Ark.; Cheryl Rhodes Davis of Jacksonville, Ark.; three great-granddaughters, Tori Roberts, Ember Sage Parnell and Tiffany Leann Parnell of White Hall, Ark.; and three great-grandsons, James Reid Roberts of White Hall, Ark.; Robert Davis and Colton Davis of Jacksonville, Ark.; and one sister, Mary Hill Fleming of Little Rock, Ark. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Hazel Hill McCook, Dorothy Hill Bragg, Ann Hill Lawing and Willie Hill Brown of Pine Bluff; and two brothers, George Randolph Hill Jr., of West Memphis, Ark., and Morton E. "Red" Hill of Pine Bluff and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2013, at Central Presbyterian Church on Ridgway Road, with the Rev. Jim Ratliff, Ed Olmstead and Rev. Todd Howard officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 11, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Robert Phillips, Robert Hagan, Bill Thompson, Bruce Taylor, Greg Ferguson, and Ronnie Terrell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ryland Robinson, Jr. and James Pierce. The family wants to express their appreciation to James and Laura Pierce for the many acts of kindness shown during their long friendship. They would also like to acknowledge the love, concern, and support demonstrated by the people of Watson Chapel Baptist Church during the autumn/winter of Bob's life. Memorials may be made to the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum, 201 East 4th Ave, Union Train Station, Pine Bluff, Ark. or to the Watson Chapel Baptist Church Children's Ministry.