Roland B. Hill

Roland B. Hill, age 88, passed away on August 18, 2016. He was born on July 23, 1928 in Chincoteague, Virginia to Earl and Hallie (Jones) Hill, the sixth of six children. He married the former Violet Costantini on October 22, 1950 and together they had five children.

The family moved to Florida in 1962 and a few years later Roland became the manager of the Grant branch of Hudgins Fish Company. Roland continued in this capacity for the next thirty years. It was during those years that he helped begin the Grant Seafood Festival at which he shucked oysters for the next fifty years. In 1969 Roland won the Florida State Oyster Shucking contest, the only year he competed.

Roland served in the Army Air Corps during World War ll and in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was active in the American Legion Post #117 and the Loyal Order of the Moose Palm Bay Lodge #2311.

Roland is survived by Violet, his loving wife of nearly 66 years; sister Ruth Ross of Chincoteague, Va; daughter Virginia Ruhlman of Clarksville, Ga; son Earl Hill of Vero Beach; son Nicholas Hill of Grant; daughter Grace Behnke of Palm Bay and son Timothy Hill of Grant; along with a bus load of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Roland's viewing will be from 12 until 2 on August 27th to be followed by a short service in the chapel.

There will be a memorial service on Sept 10, between 2 and 5 at the Grant Community Center. The family requests that anyone with a personal story to share involving Roland to please write it down so we can make a "book" of stories, since Roland was known for his great story telling.

Roland was a dog lover, so in lieu of flowers the family encourages friends to donate to the Humane Society of South Brevard, 2600 Otter Creek Lane, Melbourne, Fl 32940.