James Howard Hill, Sr.

On July 16, 2017, a good man left his earthly home to rest in the arms of Jesus. James Howard Hill, Sr. was born on September 18, 1929 in Siloam, NC to Jacob Solomon Hill and Ella Ann Flinchum Hill. He was a loving and devoted husband to Maxine Couch Hill for 66 years who survives. Other survivors include their three children: Donna Bragg and husband Nick, Jim Hill, Jr. and wife Susie, and Angela Paschal and husband Mark. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren, Justin Hill, Joshua Hill, Isaac Paschal, Leah Larsen, Malachi Paschal, and Taylor Bragg. He is also survived by his sister, Estelle Hill Snow and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sister, Opal Hill Collins.

As a young man, James left Surry County to attend Coyne Electrical Institute in Chicago, IL. He then joined the U.S. Navy where he served four years aboard the U.S.S. Randall and U.S.S. Collins troop ships, having returned the first Korean War dead to the States. After his service in the Navy, he attended RCA Institutes in New York City and Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC. While in Wilson, James worked as an engineer at WVOT Radio Station. Later he worked at WUNC-TV Channel 9 in Greenville, NC. After returning to Winston-Salem, he worked for WSJS-TV before going to work at Piedmont Airlines/US Airways, where he retired after 32 years of service as an Avionics Technician in 1991.

James was a member of Konnoak Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School Teacher to Junior Boys for 25 years. He took care of the church's sound system for a number of years. He loved his church and especially enjoyed the fellowship with his fellow Christians while still able.

The Boy Scouts of America held a special place in James' heart, as he was an active participant and committee member of Troop 744 in Winston-Salem, his son's Boy Scout troop. James was tapped into the Order of the Arrow, an honorary organization within the Boy Scouts, and enjoyed the many opportunities that Scouting offered, along with his son, Jim. In his later years, James was extremely proud of the fact that he had six Eagle Scouts in the family, between his son, sons-in-law, and grandsons.

James always wanted to help people and looked for opportunities to do so. He was a big proponent of giving blood and encouraged others to do the same. He was a proud 13-gallon blood donor and would have exceeded that had his health permitted.

The family would like to thank Juanita, Courtney, Yvette, Millicent, Rita, Valette, and Van, who have lovingly cared for him for the past three years.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 11 am at Konnoak Baptist Church with Rev. John Bishop officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to Konnoak Baptist Church, 400 McLean Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or Boy Scout Troop 703 at Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127.

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