George Willis Hill Jr.

George Willis Hill, Jr., 84, of Tyler, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2016. He was born May 31, 1931 in Van Alstyne, Texas to George W. and Vallie Nan (Hunter) Hill. He was a graduate of Austin College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and performed graduate work at UT-Austin. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean conflict. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service where he worked for over 30 years. His positions with the Postal Service moved him to many locations, Memphis, Chattanooga, Oklahoma City and eventually Tyler. A lifelong follower of Christ, he was a faithful and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Tyler where he served as a member and teacher of the Fisherman’s class. He was currently in the Radio Bible Class. George loved music and joined the “Good Ole Boys” singers for a time. George and Sandra enjoyed camping activities with Rose City Sams, Tyler where George served a term as Chaplain. He loved football and coached little league for many years in Plano. George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vallie Hill and his wife Mary Lou (Jeanes) Hill. He is survived by his loving family including his sisters Marlene Strickland of Van Alstyne and Sandra Raesz of Dallas. He is also survived by his wife Sandra Hill. Survived also by Mary Lou’s children, Stuart and Paula Hill of Searcy, Arkansas, Christa and Ron Vahl of Springfield, Missouri, Roger and Susan Hill of Memphis, Tennessee; brother-n-law, Julian Jeanes and brother-in-law Oscar Lee Jeanes and wife Sandra; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Survived also by Sandra’s children Chris Cole of Lancaster, California, and Paula Thornton of Kerrville, Texas and their children and grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Joshua Vahl, Hunter Hill, Jordan Leighton, Pate Shumaker, Jake Cole, Mitchel Bailey, Kolton Wood and Wade Dixon. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Finley and Troy Nokes. Services will be held Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:30 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler with Tracy Crawford officiating. Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to service from 10:30 - 11:30 AM. A private burial will be held at Rose Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to Gideons International, P. O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214 or Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Co. 80921-3668 or First Baptist Church of Tyler, 301 West Ferguson, Tyler 75702.

George Willis Hill Jr.

May 31, 1931 - February 9, 2016