William Jesse Hill

William Jesse (Bill) Hill passed away February 5th, 2015. Bill was born in Benson, Louisiana to William Jesse Hill, Sr. and Sallie Belle Powell Hill on November 8, 1924.  He was the fifth of five children. Although times were hard, Bill had a happy childhood on the family farm and was blessed with a loving family and very close relationship with his brother and sisters.  Throughout his life he talked with great affection about his growing up years, and was always happiest when he was back home in Louisiana. He gladly assumed the role of caretaker for the family farm, for his siblings and their children. Bill graduated from Pelican High School in Pelican, Louisiana as Salutatorian of his class.  Following high school he worked for the Kansas City Southern Railroad, and then began his college education at Centenary College in Shreveport.  His education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted. He served in the Air Force as a B-24 Bombardier completing 24 missions from his base in Italy.  Following the end of the war he resumed his education at Southern Methodist University graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology.  While attending SMU he worked as a limousine driver for Luscombe Aircraft and as a taxi driver. After graduating from SMU, Bill began his career as a Land Man with Intex Oil.  During his time with Intex he worked in both Abilene and Midland.  He later left Intex and became an Independent Land Man.  In the early 1960’s his brother-in-law persuaded him to try a new career in the securities industry, and there he found his true calling.  His forty-seven year career in that industry began with Seay Sharpe and Co., and ended in 2009 with his retirement from UBS Financial Services in Midland. Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and was always teasing and joking with his friends and family.  He never met a stranger and loved meeting new people.  He cared deeply about his clients and always extended a helping hand to his senior clients in any way they needed.  Each summer he grew delicious tomatoes in his yard and enjoyed delivering them to his special senior friends.  Many of his friends predeceased him, and he greatly missed each of them.  He especially missed his Tuesday lunches with Larry Seright, Friday lunches with J. Robert Jones, and having lunch with his friend, L.G. Reynolds. Family came first with Bill.  He adored his children Nancy, Will and Tom and they meant everything to him.  He treasured every moment he spent with them, and was very proud of their accomplishments and of the very special grandchildren they brought into his life.  He was especially grateful for their loving care and support as his health declined. Bill was affectionately referred to as “a stubborn old goat”.  His hard-headedness and determination served him well as he overcame multiple serious illnesses in the last fifteen years of his life.  He was a fighter with a very strong will to live.From his childhood until his death Bill was an animal lover and was seldom without at least one much-loved canine companion in his life.  He will be greatly missed by his beloved Scotties Watson, MacKenzie and Kelli. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Jesse Hill, Sr. and Sallie Belle Powell Hill; brother, Wayne Hill, and sisters Lucille Montgomery, Eloise Fladger, and Mildred Hill Sharpe and their spouses. He is survived by his wife, Linda; three children: Nancy Hill Maples and husband Brian of Llano, Texas; Will Hill and wife Jennifer of Kingwood, Texas; Tom Hill and wife Sherea of Midland; four grandchildren: Travis Maples, Clayton Maples, Kaden Hill, and Kinsey Hill; former wife and the mother of his children, Dorothy; and an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday February 7^th, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Nalley Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland.  Graveside services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 2:00PM at Benson Cemetery in Benson, Louisiana.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Benson Cemetery Association, 180 Norwood Rd., Mansfield, Louisiana 71052; Texas Scottie Rescue Fund, c/o treasurer Elaine Thompson, 120 Cedar Hills Drive, Elgin TX 78621; or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.  ,