Tony Donald Hill

Tony D. Hill, born November 29, 1945 in Naples, Texas to the union of Dock and Dinah (Johns) Hill. He attended school in East St. Louis, IL. and is a 1964 graduate of the Lincoln Senior High School. In 1965 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam War Era and Desert Storm and received an Honorable Discharge.

In 1976 he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he served and earned the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) and retired after 33 years of dedicated service.

Mr. Hill continued his education at the Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville while he was employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company of St. Louis, MO. In 1969, he joined the Communication Workers of America (CWA Union, Local 6320) and was appointed Shop Steward of his work group. Later, he was appointed Chief Steward.

Several years later he was elected and served as the local's Vice-President then Executive Vice President. In 1993, he became the first African American to be elected as President of CWA Local 6320.

Mr. Hill organized and Chaired Local 6320's Committee on Equity (COE). He was appointed the COE Coordinator for the state of Missouri. He was the WA's District #6 choice to attend the Minority Leadership Institute (MLI). In 1996 Mr. Hill was the recipient of the prestigious WA Minority Caucus' Eugene J. Mays Award for outstanding leadership and service in the Union and Community.

Mr. Hill has always been active in the community. He joined the St. Louis Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) in 1984. He then served as President of the St. Louis Chapter, being re-elected unanimously for 4 consecutive terms.

Mr. Hill retired from Southwestern Bell with 31 years of service in February 2000. In addition to the APRI, Mr. Hill served as a member of the Greater St. Louis CWA Retiree Member's Club, Board of Directors of the Wesley House Community Center, and delegate to the St. Louis Labor Council (AFL-CIO), a Director of Meridian Credit Union (formerly St. Louis Telephone Credit Union/Anheuser Busch Credit Union). He also served as Chairman and Trustee of the Deacon's Board of the Union Baptist Church and later moved his membership to Greater New Bethel Temple Church where he was baptized in Jesus' name in 2010 under the leadership of Elder Leroy Moore.

For more than a year, Tony volunteered counseling for children at Stowe Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri. Tony was very active in his church, Greater New Bethel Temple Church in East St. Louis, IL. His membership has included serving with The Brotherhood, The Brown Singers and the Adult Choir.

In 1965, Mr. Hill married his high school sweetheart, Paulette Horton. Together, they had two children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Charles Hill and Sharon Hill.

Tony leaves to mourn in his passing and cherish his memory, a loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Paulette Hill, a daughter, Melissa E. Hill-Perkins (Greg) of Rockford, MN, and a son, Marcus D. Hill (Kesha) of Metairie, LA; grandchildren, Marcus A.(Nicole), Adrian C., Michael "CJ" (Jordan), and Sydney R.; great grandchildren, Leilani, Lauren, Meadow, and Logan. Mr. Hill is also survived by his siblings, Doris Harbour of Berkley, MO and Victor (Ethel) Hill of Virginia Beach, VA; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Reginald) Beard, Maxine (the late William) Willis, Connie (the late John) Harrell; Audrey (Michael) Byrd; brothers-in-law, Tyree (Adrianne) Horton, Rondae (Lula) Horton;and special friend, Fulton Russell along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, friends, and church family.