Obituaries for Fri., Oct. 9, 2015

Published 12:34 am Friday, October 9, 2015

JOHN E. HILL

Mr. John E. Hill was born Jan. 28, 1926, near Boaz, Ala. He was a graduate of Douglas High School, Douglas, Ala.; Snead Junior College, Boaz, Ala., and the University of Alabama. At the University he earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Delta Chi honorary fraternities.

In 1950, John married the former Mary Wright, of Excel. They are the parents of two daughters, Joan and Jane.

John was a member of Andalusia First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for 56 years, taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and chaired numerous committees. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Alabama Baptist State Convention for five years.

After graduating from the University of Alabama, he began his professional career by working for two years as assistant editor of the Monroe Journal, Monroeville, Ala., and for five years as commercial manager of Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth) before becoming general manager of Covington Electric Cooperative. He retired from that position in 1990.

He served on the Andalusia City School Board of Education for nine years and was chairman for four years. He is a former member of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Andalusia, and of the local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce in 1985.

John was a member of the Andalusia Kiwanis Club for more than 60 years and also served as a lieutenant governor. He was a former “Citizen of the Year” selection of that organization, as well as a recipient of the prestigious George F. Hixon award for distinguished service to Kiwanis and the community.

He served on the board of directors of the Alabama Division of the American Cancer Society. For many years he served on the board of directors of CCB Community Bank, where he chaired the audit committee. He was also a former trustee and board chairman of Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth).

In 1990, in conjunction with “Spouse” (Mary), he authored a “fun” book relating to many humorous events occurring during the “first 50” years of their marriage. The title of the book was “I Got the Marriage License Free; Unfortunately, Spouse Came With It.”

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hill of Andalusia; daughters and son-in-law, Joan and James Mitchell of Andalusia and Jane Crain of Birmingham; grandsons, Dr. Ryan (Megan) Mitchell of Mobile, Matthew Mitchell of Charlotte, N.C., Jonathan Crain of Birmingham, and Andrew Crain of Atlanta, Ga.; and one great-grandson, Beckett Mitchell of Mobile.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 tonight, Fri., Oct. 9, 2015, from at Foreman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at 10 a.m. from First Baptist Church, Andalusia. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Fred Karthaus of First Baptist Church Andalusia, the Rev. Harrell Cushing of Montgomery, and the Rev. John Foster of Birmingham. Special music will be performed by Don Lingle, former minister of music for Andalusia First Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be the four grandsons along with Ziba Anderson, Herb Carlisle, and Ward Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will include members of his Sunday School class and CCB Community Bank board of directors.

Memorial contributions made to First Baptist Church of Andalusia, 700 East Three Notch St., Andalusia, AL 36420 or to the Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL 36461.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign an online registry at www.foremanfunealhome.com.