Broadus Edward (Ed) Hill, Jr.

Broadus Edward Hill, Jr. ( Ed ) of Topsail Beach, N.C. passed peacefully in the night of July 21st. He was 89 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marguerite (Rite) Staples Hill, children; Betty and Don Utley, Barbara Hill Miller, Ed and Kathy Hill, and Karen Hill Hunter, grandchildren; Ross and Katie Strickland, Aaron and Heather Strickland, Blythe Strickland, Kristin and Steve Holth, Dianne Phillips-Tabor and Tim Tabor, Andy Hill and Caitlin Golding, Emily Hunter and Edward Heywood-Everett, Julia Hunter and Isabel Hunter, great grandchildren; Sydney, Aurora and Rhys Strickland, sister; Sandy Dollens Cook, loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ed was born on July 1st, 1929 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He attended the Miller School of Albemarle, which he credits with having had a great influence on his life. Ed was a United States Army Air Forces Veteran, serving in the prelude to the Korean War as Crew Chief on the A-26 aircraft. He then went on to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he received a degree in Engineering. In 1951 Ed married the love of his life - nurse, and best friend of Ed’s sister Janet - Marguerite Staples (Rite). Ed worked for the DuPont corporation, participating in the development of many of the fibers we wear in our clothing - so - if you are dressed, and we kind of hope you are - Ed is most likely with you a little bit. In 1968 Ed moved from the Kinston DuPont plant to the Wilmington plant. He and his family all came to quickly embrace the lifestyle of the surrounding coastal areas.

Throughout his long and happy life Ed’s interest for planes and flying remained constant. He also loved to golf with friends, and on three occasions had bragging rights to a hole-in-one. He was known to consistently ‘shoot his age’ on local courses. Summer week-ends would often find him loading up the boat with the family and a fabulous Rite-prepared picnic for a day in the area’s waterways. Until his death Ed could often be seen walking on south Topsail Beach. It was a good life.

Ed was a kind man. He was a good man, a gentle man. Ed did not argue, but preferred to compromise. He waved a friendly greeting to all he met, and was always available to lend a helping hand when needed. He was, without a doubt, the sweetest Granddaddy around - loved his grandchildren and was dearly loved and respected by them in turn. Ed will be greatly missed, but the family will strive to carry on in his tradition of kindness to others.

His life and memory will be celebrated by the family in a private service.

Donations in memory of Ed can be made to the good people at Lower Cape Fear Hospice. www.lcfh.org