He was a Mobile lawyer in practice from the early 1950’s until the end of 1999, focusing on tax, estate planning, and commercial transactions. He spent most of his career with the McCorvey-Turner law firm (later known as Johnstone, Adams, May, Howard & Hill). He ended his career in practice with his son Ashton at Hill & Hill, P.C.
His legal career was interrupted in April of 1952 when he was called into active duty from the U.S Naval Reserves. With rank of Lt(jg), he was assigned to a shore assignment in Corpus Christi, followed by administrative duties on light carrier Bataan(CVL-29), launching air strikes, ground support, and other missions.
After his retirement from legal practice, he and his wife, Mary, joined with others to establish Downtown Fellowship Ministry in Mobile. There, he ministered and taught into his ninetieth year, when his health began to curtail his activities.
He had a special affinity to southern Monroe County where ancestral property was located, and to Point Clear where he spent his summers. He knew the former when it was only accessible from Mobile by dirt roads, and the latter from Mobile only by steamer.
He loved his family, and was much loved in return.
He loved his favorite cousin, Blacksher White-Spunner, who now survives as the last grandchild of J.J. Blacksher.
He entered the Chapter Eternal of Sigma Chi Fraternity on November 17.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Ashton Hill and Ella Packer Blacksher Hill; siblings Maysie Hill Murray (Dick) and Edward Ashton Hill, Jr., and nephew Dick Murray, Jr.
Survivors include the love of his life and wife of seventy years, Mary Frances Deer Hill; children John Jeptha Hill, Jr. (Martha); Edward Ashton Hill, III (Michele), all of Mobile; Debra Hill Blackburn (Dan) of Loxley; David Knight Hill (Jennifer) of Kansas City, Kansas; grandchildren Jessie Hill Hory (Sam), Jeptha Deer Hill (Corinna), Allison Hill Snelling (Andrew), Katherine Ashton Hill, all of Mobile; Mary Ella Hill Aparo (Sam) of Atlanta, GA; Daniel Grant Blackburn, Jr. (Laura), and Mary McCrory Blackburn of Orange Beach; Michael Ashton Hill of Kansas City; Nathan Alexander Hill of Colorado Springs, CO; Daniel Knight Hill of Fort Collins, Co; and great grandchildren Kaki Hory, Sam Hory, J.B Blackburn and Evie Blackburn, Andrew Snelling, and Elizabeth Hill; sister in law, Jean Deer Parker; nieces Ella Murray Macpherson (Ian), Craig Murray Key (Albert); and many cousins and beloved relatives.
A visitation for Jep will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2 S McGregor Ave, Mobile, Alabama 36608. A celebration of life will occur Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the church. A graveside service will occur Monday, November 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Magnolia Cemetery, 1202 Virginia St, Mobile, Alabama 36604 followed by interment.
The family would like to express their great appreciation for the expert and loving care provided by Kindred Hospice Care and Bay Nursing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home of Grace for Women; Waterfront Rescue Mission, Wings of Life, or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Hill family.
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