Andrew Joshua Hill, Sr.

Andrew Joshua Hill Sr. (Buddy) was born November 12, 1916, to Joshua and Mamie Rozier Hill in Macon Georgia. He was the second of seven siblings who were blessed to have one another to love, fight, and play with. Andrew was brought up in a Christian home, and was taught very early in his life the value of having Christ as the center of his life. He was a very smart child who was recognized for academic excellence many times during his elementary years. It was at this time that his love of music and his beautiful voice began to blossom. He was often called upon to sing at church and at various social and community events. As a young adult, he sang at local nightclubs such as “Uncle Tom’s” in Detroit.

After graduating from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Andrew continued to pursue his musical career with his quintet, signing a recording contract with Decca Records. While appearing at the Chicago Theater Andrew met his ‘one true love’, Dolores Jackson. They were only separated by World War II where Andrew served in special services entertaining the troops before being called to combat duty in the South Pacific.

Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army, Andrew continued to court and subsequently marry Dolores. Their union was blessed with six children, Maxine (deceased), Andrew Jr., Adrian, Ronald (deceased), Sherida, and Mimi.

In 1947, Andrew and a group of WWII veterans formed The Veteran’s Cab Association in Chicago. This organization gave the veterans group through strength of numbers and years of court battles the victory over Yellow and Checker Cab company’s efforts to block the acquisition of cab licenses by African Americans. Andrew continued to drive the cab for several years eventually starting DAMAS Cab Company, named for his wife and children. Dolores, Andrew (Jr.), Maxine, Adrian, Sherida. (Mimi was just a gleam in her daddy’s eye at that time.)

In May of 1951, after passing the Civil Service Exam., Andrew began a 33-year career with the Chicago Board of Education. He began as a custodian and continued to take classes enabling him to be promoted through the ranks becoming a fireman and ultimately a stationary engineer until his retirement in 1984.

In 1965, Andrew and Dolores became members of Unity, (later called Christ Universal Temple). Andrew joined the choir this time lending his beautiful voice to sing for God. He also sang with The Umbrian Glee Club. Andrew was a Mason and was a long-standing member of Club 34, Civic and Social Club, until he and Dolores relocated to Las Vegas in 2000. There he studied at Oasis Rising and attended Victory M.B. Church for several years before joining in 2010.

While in Vegas, he enjoyed smoking his pipe and watching “shoot em ups” with Mommy.

On June 18, Andrew went to sing with GOD’S Heavenly Choir. He leaves to celebrate his life: his devoted wife of 65 years Dolores, his children Andrew Jar, Adrian, Sherida, Mimi, (Maxine and Ronald who preceded him in death); 7 grandchildren Angela Findley, Deidra Findley, John Findley (Jamie), Jeremy Hill, Andrew Hill, Kiersten Hill, and Barakah Hill Hassell; 7 great grandchildren Carrie Findley, Simone Williams, Robert Williams (Jade), Andre Findley, Gabriel Findley, Jaden Findley, Jori Findley; 3 great-great grandchildren Rakiyah Findley, Samiyah Williams Smith, and Riley Williams, a Godchild Mychal Simpson, nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, friends and loved ones. The song has ended, but the memory lingers on…