Dr. Sidney "Sid" Ray Hill Jr.

Sidney Ray Hill, Jr. was born on December 9, 1943, at the Army Hospital at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. He grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Shades Valley High School. After attending the University of Alabama, Sid transferred to Birmingham Southern College where he obtained his undergraduate degree in History. He later received his Masters and PhD from the University of Florida in Speech Communication and Rhetoric and began his teaching career in 1972 at Mississippi State University in the Department of Communication.

Sid remained on the faculty at MSU for the next 36 years, dedicating his professional life to his students and his research. Sid loved teaching. He positively impacted thousands of students over the course of his tenure at MSU. He kept up with many of his favorite students even decades after they graduated and would routinely welcome them into his Starkville home for visits. He took great pride in their successes.

In his later years, Sid traveled all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. After teaching in both Singapore and Thailand, he developed an interest in “intercultural communications.” He retired from MSU in 2008.

During retirement, Sid continued his travels. He often took his son, Ray, and daughter-in-law, Kathryn, with him to Europe. When his grandsons were old enough, he took them to Italy and England fostering a love for travel which continues to the present day. He loved being with his grandsons, Jack and Max, more than anything in the world and was so proud of them.

With the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, Sid became more isolated and withdrew from much of his daily routines. Still, he kept up correspondence and visits with his family, enjoyed reading biographies of famous war heroes, watching Crimson Tide football highlights on YouTube, and curating and organizing his massive collection of books.

Sid made an impact on the world. He was a loyal friend and a great father. His family will miss him terribly.

Sid was predeceased by his parents, Sidney Ray Hill, Sr. and Sue Norton Hill, both of Homewood, and his sister, Susan Hill Hogle of Trussville. Sid is survived by his son Ray (Kathryn) and his grandsons Jack and Max Hill of Oxford, Mississippi, as well as his beloved niece, Jennifer Lartigue (Randy) of Trussville, Alabama; great niece, Emily Lartigue of Nashville, Tennessee; and great nephew, Chipper Lartigue of Trussville, Alabama.

Funeral services will be held at Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel in Birmingham on Monday, June 19 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow the service in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Mississippi State University Foundation for the purpose of providing scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Hill family.