Obituary

JAMES BERNARD HILL
(November 22, 1948 - October 23, 2015)

JAMES BERNARD HILL, 66, of Mineral Wells, passed away October 23, 2015, at Marietta Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends. He was born November 22, 1948, in Huntington, W.Va., a son of the late William M. Hill Jr. and Virginia L. (Bandush) Hill. Mr. Hill was a retired Colonel of the West Virginia Army National Guard and served from 1974 to 2004. He also served as Commander of the Robert C. Byrd Regional Training Institute and Administrative Officer of the 1092nd Engineering Batallion. Jim was a former member of the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church and attended Mount Zion Baptist Church, both of Mineral Wells. He was a retired science teacher at Parkersburg South High and a member of the Wood County CEOS. Surviving is his loving wife of 47 years, Karolyn "Kay" (Young) Hill; two daughters, Sonja Phillips (Berry) of Hurricane, W.Va., and Kyna Raye Joy Hill of Mineral Wells; and his son, Geoffrey Allen Hill (Melinda) of Greenbrier, Ariz. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Keya Beth Claudia Phillips and Lena Mae Scarlet Phillips of Hurricane, Nathan Calvin Hill of Greenbrier, Ariz., and Christian Asia Xiong and Laccey Chynna Xiong of San Diego, Calif; several nieces and nephews; and special son and daughter, Ashley McPherson and Aaron Crites of Mineral Wells. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William M. Hill III. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the WV National Guard Armory on Blizzard Drive, Parkersburg, with Reverends Bill Stout and Rufus Hoalcraft officiating. Full Military Honors will be conducted by 1092nd Color Guard. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, and one hour prior to services at the Armory. Following services, Mr. Hill will be cremated and his remains inurned at the West Virginia National Cemetery at Grafton.