Raymond Alvin Hill

Born in a house, in the woods of Upper Michigan. A long time resident of Haslett. A follower of Jesus Christ. A hard worker. A good friend. A generous giver. A servant to all. A faithful husband and a man who showed grace, Raymond Alvin Hill, has gone to be with Jesus, October 20th, 2025.

He was born June 2nd, 1935. God blessed him with good parents, 5 brothers and one big sister, a large family, and 90 years of joy and hardship. He worked on the farm cutting pulp wood or fence posts, he dug graves in Kinross for $7 each. He rode horses, tended cattle, slept in the barn, skied behind a pick-up truck, walked barefoot, uphill both ways, to school, and always had a car load of girls.

He came to Lansing to find work and landed a good GM job working for Oldsmobile. He and his brother Ernie, asked two ladies if they needed a ride. He married my mother, Karen Ann Ferguson. She gave him three children, Terry, that’s me… Debbie and Lisa. But that marriage was full of hardship and heartache and ended in divorce.

Raymond went back to Upper Michigan and married Marjorie Alice Kibble. They moved to a small cabin in Haslett just two blocks from Lake Lansing. They joined a church and began to follow Jesus. They had a big garden and served in their church, Cedarway Free Methodist Church, for 43 years.

Ray was always a happy-go-lucky guy. He. Never. Worried. He dealt with every problem and just, never worried. He was always happy and funny and he gave to anyone in need. If you asked to borrow a twenty, he’d give you forty. He loaded his vans with kids and off they went to church. He drove wherever he had to go to see his children.

At Oldsmobile he helped install the first seatbelts. They called him “Zorro” when he was cutting out holes for speakers. They also called him “Rev” because he told everyone about Jesus. He put together steering columns and hood latches and worked on his checker game. He retired after 35 years.

I used to ask him, “What do ya say, Ray?” And he’d always answer, “Save your money and retire early.” But he worked 35 years.

On the farm, he only went as far as the 6th grade, but after Oldsmobile he went back and finished High School to receive his diploma. He was so proud of this.

He continued serving his family with cookouts and Easter Egg hunts. If your car broke down in Oklahoma, he didn’t hesitate to come and get you. He let us use his cars. He let people live in his shed. He gave away all that he had.

He opened his home to Mary and her kids. And after Marge passed, he married Mary and cared for her children, Larry and Tyler, for 15 years. He gave to anyone in need, without question. And today, he gives us, another chance to be together.

My father loved music. He didn’t sing well, but he sang often. He sang in church, he told his stories, and must have driven to Mackinaw 1000 times. He sang in the car, with us as his trapped audience.

“My gals a corker, she’s a New Yorker, I buy her anything that money can buy.

Or this one…. “I’ve … got … a … Humpty-Dumpty Heart, you dropped it and broke it apart. All the Kings horses, all the Kings men, could never put it together again. ‘Cause when I gave to you my heart, you said that we must part. That was my doom, my heart went boom. I’ve got a Humpty-Dumpty heart.

When he was living with us recently, he’d wake up every morning singing, “Up in the mornin’, out on the job, work like the devil for my pay, but that lucky old sun, ain’t got nuttin’ to do, but roll around heaven all day.

“Lord above, can’t you see I’m cryin’? Tears are in my eyes.

Send down a cloud with a silver linin’, take me to paradise.

“Show me that river, lead me across, take all my troubles away.

And like that lucky old sun, ain’t got nuttin’ ta do, but roll around heaven all day.”

He loved painting saws, taking walks, saying “hi” to strangers, and cookies.

He had popular sayings, like, “I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse with the harness on.” Or, “Inch by inch, it’s a cinch, yard by yard, it’s hard.” Or I’d say, “See ya later” and he’d reply, “The good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise.”

My father always played his records and sang on Sunday mornings while getting ready for church. He’d yell through the house, “Rise and shine! It’s daylight in the camp”. Lately, while staying with me, he’d wake up at 4AM singing, “Blue skies, shining on me, blue skies, do I see.”

I can see him now, driving away in his big old van, loaded with kids, with that sticker on the back that says, “God is my Co-Pilot.”

As I sat beside him on his bed in his room, I played for him, Love Lifted Me, and he sang every word. As we sing, watch the words as I believe this… is my father’s testimony. Love Lifted Me.

Raymond Alvin Hill has gone to be with Jesus.

He lived from June 2nd, 1935 to October 20, 2025. 90 years.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Anna Rates (Lockhart); his father, Andrew Greely Hill; his step-father, William (Bill) John Lockhart; his wife of 43 years, Marjorie Alice Kibble (Hill); his big sister, Delores Louise Hill (Fike) and Louis; his brother, Ernest “Ernie” Hill; his little brother, James “Jim” Edward Lockhart; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and in laws.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Mary and her two sons, Larry & Tyler; brother, Russell Hill (Darlene); brother, Clarence Hill (Alice); two brother’s wives, Beverly Hill (Ernie) and Donna Lockhart (Jim); his daughter, Debra Sue Hill (Pulliam) & Walter; his son, Terry Ray Hill & Laura; and his daughter, Lisa Ann Hill (Keeney) & Mike.

And Raymond loved his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and he prayed for them to follow Jesus: Steven Hill (Kristen), Eloise, Douglas Hill (Dana), Scott & Ailee, David Hill (Whitney), Presleigh & Brooks, Paul Orta (Michelle), Taylor & Paul Bradley, Melissa Orta (Schmitman), James & Novalee, Maria Orta, Leilani & Marquez, and Mary Pulliam.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912. A funeral service for Raymond will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, at the Community Baptist Church of Lansing, 7832 W Mt Hope Hwy., Grand Ledge, MI 48837. Raymond will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Lakeview Cemetery in Kinross, Michigan.

Donations in memory of Raymond Alvin Hill can be made to the Community Baptist Church of Lansing, 7832 W Mt Hope Hwy., Grand Ledge, MI 48837, https://www.communitybaptistlansing.com/