On December 14, 1938, Louise Cherry Withers and Leon Clifford Hill Sr. welcomed their little prince, Luther Lee Hill, into the world. He lived in Kansas City, Missouri until his parents divorced in 1952 after which, his mother relocated to Los Angeles, California to give her children a better life and more opportunities.
Luther attended Grape Street Elementary School, and later transferred to Mona Elementary to complete his fundamental education. Upon graduating, Luther spent the next three years at Willowbrook Middle School where he participated in sports and music programs. To “kick start” his military career, Luther joined the 123rd Command of the Cadet program at Willowbrook and was one of six students promoted to second lieutenant, and one of two students to receive a military scroll from the city mayor. After middle school, Luther joined the Centennial High School Apaches to complete his lower level education. There, he earned several letters for excelling in sports and received numerous accolades for his commitment to the music and ROTC programs.
After graduating high school, Luther joined the Navy and married his first wife, Janice Samuel, in 1960. In 1961 the couple welcomed their first of six kids into the world. In 1968, he completed courses at Compton College to earn an Associates of Arts degree with emphasis on women clothing design, construction, marketing, retailing, and merchandising. In 1969, Luther took courses at the Fashion Institute, and earned a second Associates of Arts degree. Afterwards, he enrolled in St. Stephens University, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science. Luther furthered his education at Pepperdine University, and received his Masters in Business Administration in 1974. In 1975 Luther received a business management certificate from Compton College, and was accepted to Chapman College where he completed the requirements for his teaching credentials. Luther, also, earned numerous certificates from various other learning institutes including the University of California in Los Angeles, and the Management Institute School of Business and Management. Luther, also, published two books titles “Improved Housing Condition,” and “A Treatment Plan for Out-Patient Drug Addicted Persons.”
Luther’s employment history includes Vin Lu Incorporated, Vice President (1969 to 1971); Compton Unified School District, Secondary Education Teacher (1973 to 1975); Charles Drew Postgraduate Medical School, Resource Developer (1975 to 1976); Charles Drew Postgraduate Medical School, Facilities/Plant Administration Officer (1976 until retirement); H/H Construction Company (1976 until retirement).
One of Luther’s greatest passions was coaching pop-warner football, in the nineteen-seventies, for the Willowbrook Braves and Mona Park Jets in Compton, California. He gave back to the community by being a positive example for the young men who had the opportunity of crossing his path. Additionally, Luther Hill launched a summer youth program for low income families that instructed kids on how to counsel their peers, and he solicited local business to hire program participants at their cost.
On February 13, 1978, Luther married his second wife, Darlene Christovale, whom he met at Charles Drew Medical School. He raised her two beautiful daughters as his own and together they had a son. Thirteen years later the marriage dissolved. In 1995 he married Judith (Nadine) Warfield and they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Luther loved the Lord and enjoyed studying and sharing the Word of God. He was a long time member of Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, California. And was a member of the River Church and From the Heart Ministries in Las Vegas. He found great pleasure singing in the choir and being a part of the music ministries.
Luther leaves behind to cherish his precious memories, sons Eric Hill and Andrew Hill; daughters Dera Vasquez, Kim Hill, Windy Hill, Jill Hill, Tamera Puryear, and Tanza Hill-Loeb; sister-in-law Susan Wiggs; brother-in-law Alfred Wiggs; son-in-laws Carlos Vasquez, and Gary Puryea; daugher-in-law Nora Hill; grandkids Brittney Hill-Collier, Joshua Banks, Nicholas Vasquez, Marc Rodgers, Maya Rodgers, Devin Stroud, Racquel Wauls, Bryson Hill-Shine, Andre Springer, Kryslyn Hill, Kadynce Hill, Kallen Hill, Deijha Hill, Brandon Hill, Kyle Hill, and Noelle Richardson; great-grandson Jaxon Bascom; ex-wife Janice Hill-Samuel; and his beloved traveling companion canine Isabell Kymberly Hill (aka Izzie). Luther, also, leaves behind a host of friends and family that love him dearly. He is proceeded in death by his mother Louise Withers; father Leon Hill; son Daman Hill; brother Gene Hill; wife Nadine Hill; ex-wife Darlene Martine; and step-daughter Rochelle Scott.
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