James Hill

James Cleophilus Hill was born in Coldwater, MS on January 14, 1956 as the last of twelve children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dabuner & Althea Hill. He attended the public schools of Tate County and graduated from Coldwater High School in 1975. At the early age of twelve James confessed faith in Jesus Christ and was added to the Church of Christ; and was a member of the local congregation in Mississippi and eventually congregations in the Seattle, and greater Seattle area.

Due to family members who had recently settled and exposure to the Northwest, James decided to move to Seattle, WA at the age of nineteen. Shortly after his arrival to the area he met the woman he would share his life with and on September 1, 1979 was united in holy matrimony to Vickie Hill, formerly Hudson. To this union two children were born, Shanae L. Hill (Evans) and Tuanette S. Hill.

James was a hardworking man and had occupations which often overlapped. He joined and was a member of the National Guard from 1977 until 1982, was a dedicated employee of Johnnie Washington Janitorial business for over ten years and played an active support role in his wife's in-home child care business. Although he dabbled in various industries, James spent a bulk of his career as a pipe fitter and welder for Puget Sound Energy, formerly Washington Natural Gas, and retired with over thirty-six years of service. He took pride in the work that he produced for Puget Sound Energy and was known throughout the company and the industry as one of the top welders and fabricators in the Washington area. James exceeded the expectations of a welder and was an instructor, trainer and mentor to many pipefitters, helpers and welders in the local area.

During his free time, James loved spending time with his family, traveling, gardening, wood carving, boating, or crabbing, golfing, listening to music, martial arts, and boxing.

James was preceded in death by his mother, father, four brothers, and two sisters.

James departed this life on September 19, 2019. James leaves to cherish his memory and to carry his legacy daughter Shanae Evans, son-in-law EmManuel Evans of Henderson, NV, daughter Tuanette Hill-Logan and grand-daughter MaiLeah Logan of Seattle, WA; the love of his life Vickie Hill; three brothers, Dabuner I. Hill of Coldwater, MS, Jessie Lamar Hill, Maurice Hill, both of Memphis, TN; two sisters Annie Hines of Memphis, TN, and Savannah Ezelle of Austin, TX; three sisters-in-law Patricia Hill, Loretta Hill, Rene’ Williams; and one life-long brother-in-law Earlie L. Hudson Sr. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.