Willie Frances (Bill) Hill, husband and life-long companion of Leola, and father of Rickey Hill and Debbie Alderson, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016. A remembrance celebration from 5-7 p.m. July 24, 2016 will be held at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 86 years on Monday, July 25, 2016, at 11 am at Lake Ridge Chapel. A tribute of Bill’s life may be found at www.memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy. Bill was born on March 17, 1930 to William and Effie Hill in Wheeler, Texas. On October 7, 1948 Bill married the love of his life, Leola Henley. Bill and Leola celebrated a strong union and they have not left each other’s side for 68 years. Bill served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 in the Korean War. Upon his return he continued his professional career with Coca-Cola where he retired as Production Superintendent after 40 years of service. However; as dedicated as Bill was to making a quality product at Coca-Cola his real passion was doing things the “Cowboy” way, training and racing quarter horses and thoroughbreds throughout Texas. New Mexico and Oklahoma becoming a leading trainer known and respected widely in the industry. Bill truly appreciated and enjoyed watching his family, mostly his 4 grandchildren and his 7 great grandchildren that he loved to play with telling them many stories, some of which he might have stretched just a bit! Bill was proceeded in death by his parents William and Effie Hill, his three sisters and two brothers whom he loved dearly. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Leola; their children, Rickey Hill and Debbie Alderson and husband, Dan; grandchildren, Jonathan Hill and wife, Alysha, Josh Hill and wife, Natalie, Shonna Cannaday, his favorite granddaughter, and husband, Jason, and Jared Alderson and fiancé, Shelby; great-grandchildren, Cambrie, Noah, Addysyn and Rebel Hill, Kaylee, Keslie, and Jaxon Cannaday; brother, Sonny Hill and wife, Diane.

Bill Hill was born on August 12, 1932 to Joseph Earl and Ruby Tyson Hill in Parker County, Texas. On June 9, 1952, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Turner in Roswell, New Mexico. Bill (or Papaw as the grandkids liked to call him) was a dedicated father and grandfather who never missed a baseball game, track meet, cheer competition or any other opportunity to be with the family. Bill was a man of many hobbies and valued his connection to the land. He grew his own vegetables, raised chickens and goats, plowed in his tractor and sat on his front porch identifying birds. He loved to cook and especially enjoyed attempting new and unusual dishes like ox-tail stew. Bill and his wife, Shirley, loved traveling in their RV and had many great adventures together across the United States – even to Canada and Alaska. Bill worked for many years for the 555 Company – starting as a delivery boy and later as one of their salesmen. In his free time, Bill was an active member of the Lubbock Elks #1348, the PanWest District for over 45 years and proudly served as the President of the Texas Elks State Association in 1994 – 1995. He was awarded a life member in May of 2000. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Hill; their daughter, Vickie Dianne Cicchese, Lloyd Alan Hill and wife, Gina, Greg Glenn Hill and wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Terrace Hill, Antonio Cicchese and wife, Shawna, Logan Ford and husband, Chris, Aaron Hill and wife, Misty, Trevor, Tate, and Grant Hill; great-grandchildren, Jett and Olivia Hill; brother, James Hill; sister, JoAnn McCandles and husband, Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mary Garner and Linda Womack and his parents, Joseph Earl and Ruby Alice Hill. Memorial contributions are welcome and the family suggests, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Elks Children’s Services by either mailing a check to the address below or by donating online to the fundraiser page. Texas Elks Children’s Services, 1963 FM 1586 Gonzales, Texas 78629, https://www.razoo.com/us/story/Texas-Elks-Childrens-Services. A loving husband, father, grandfather and member of the Lubbock community, Bill Hill will be missed by many.