James Lee Hill

James Lee Hill, age 83, was born June 15, 1935 in Hermansville, Mississppi. James (AKA Jim) attended Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Park College and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. On July 3, 1959 he married the former Leola Loretta Wade in Hernando, Mississippi. They were childhood sweethearts.

He served 31 years in the military of which 14 were enlisted before becoming a Warrant Officer. He was rotary and fixed wing qualified and attained the highest rank at the time of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He served at numerous duty stations around the world including serving in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Man Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge and National Defense Medal. Jim retired from the U.S. Army on October 31, 1980. After retirement Jim worked as a contractor training Navy pilots in Beeville, Texas. He then worked in civil service as an accident investigator at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, Director of Safety in Seoul, Korea, and Safety Manager Fort Bliss, Texas. He attained a grade of GS-14, then retired with over 30 years. He proudly served over 60 years of government service. Jim was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi, joining in Spring 1993. He was awarded Man of the year at Seoul Alumni Chapter in Seoul, Korea for 1997-1998. He was also a member of the Buffalo Soldier Donnie Brown Chapter as well as a member of the Community Baptist Church men’s choir, the Brotherhood and a member of the Trustee Board at Community Baptist Church. He proudly served as a member of the Praise Team at Oasis Baptist Church. Jim's first love was racquetball which he played until he was 80 years old. He liked golf but he thought he was not very good, but he played a mean game of tennis.

Jim is survived by his wife Leola Loretta Hill, son James Ike Hill (Francine Celeste) of Las Cruces, New Mexico, two grandsons, James Elic Hill (Jennifer Lynn) of El Paso Texas, Jason James Jones (Jennifer Annette) of Cibolo, Texas. Seven Great-Grandchildren, Austyn James Hill, Cameron Joseph Hill, Madison Jayden Hill, Phoenix Marie Raquel Jones, Bryson Lee James Jones, Ethan Arthur Jones and Carter Elijah Jones. Brother Wilbert Coleman (Henrietta deceased) from Memphis, Tennessee. Brother-in-law Charlie James Wade (Wanitha) from Memphis, Tennessee, sister-in-law Jacqueline Denise Thomas and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a grandson Justen Lee Hill, his stepfather Robert Whitney and his mother Amelia Whitney, and sister Gloria Mae Bolden.