Hill-Mack

W Hill Tributes

Tribute

A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that a party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states exacted tribute from the rulers of land which the state conquered or otherwise threatened to conquer. In case of alliances, lesser parties may pay tribute to more powerful parties as a sign of allegiance and often in order to finance projects that would benefit both parties. To be called "tribute" a recognition by the payer of political submission to the payee is normally required; the large sums, essentially protection money, paid by the later Roman and Byzantine Empires to barbarian peoples to prevent them attacking imperial territory, would not usually be termed "tribute" as the Empire accepted no inferior political position. Payments by a superior political entity to an inferior one, made for various purposes, are described by terms including "subsidy".

Wikipedia

WIFE
Cora L. Hill

SISTERS
Louise Chandler

CHILDREN
Lorraine Hill-Hall
Brenda L. Hill-Riggins
Cynthia Hill-Frazier
Mark A. Hill
Eric Gregg Hill Sr.
Darryl Wayne Hill
Vonda Allen

GRANDCHILDREN
Kimberly R. Frazier
Marnique Hill
Candace R. Anthony
KryShonda Williams
Diamond Jane Lingo
Victoria Hill-Herring
Roosevelt Frankie Thomas-Stubbs

BROTHER & SISTER IN LAW
Pastor Joseph Swain
Co-Pastor Mary Swain
First Lady Lillie Walters
Pastor Robert Walters
Rev .John W. Mack
Carrie Marshall
Amie Miles
Rosa Holden

SON & DAUGTHER LAWS
Donnie R. Hall Jr
Terry Allen
Keith D. Frazier
Vivian Hill

NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS
Gus Biauce
Charles Kates
Beverly Stubbs
Bruce King
Edward Mitchell
Alice Murphy

WIFE
Cora L. Hill
Cedarville, NJ
Comment: Willie was my husband of forty-six years and the father of my eleven children. We meet when I was eight years old; therefore I have known him for most of his life. Willie started smoking at the age fourteen and he smoked Salem cigarettes, until his death. Weeks before his death, I had to stop the neighbors’ son from seeking cigarettes to my husband through the window.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

SISTERS

Louise Chandler
Syracuse, NY
June 21, 1938
Comment: Willie was my brother and was ten children in our family and now we have two sibling still alive my sister Evelyn and me. My brother was a good man and he took good care of his wife and children. I left home at the age of fifteen and he was smoking then, I don’t remember what kind of cigarettes he smoked, but I know he smoked for most of his life until his death. After he moved to New Jersey he would often time visit my family and I visited him in his home about twenty years before his death and he was wide awake, full of life and energy, but still smoking.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview.

CHILDREN

Lorraine Hill-Hall, Daycare owner/Interior Decorator

Comment: Willie was my father and I am is 3^rd child, but the first daughter of his house. And now I am a strong woman of faith, good charter and high fashion as a result of who my father taught me to be. I remember my father smoking Salem cigarettes all my life. My father was a strong healthy man dedicated to his family and his entrepreneur talents. He was a hardworking man a pioneer, in his field of construction. As a young healthy man mine dad cherish his family, he loved my mother and siblings and had a unique relationship with each one of us. From our experience living in Florida to New Jersey I watched the cigarettes consumed his life. I did not like the way the cigarettes smelled nor did I purchase them for him. My father and mother treated me as their little sweetheart and I still feel that way today. When we lived in Florida, my dad was in the prime of his life and everything he did, he did it with style and perfection. My dad purchase a home for his family in the early sixties. He built outdoor and indoor flower planters that everyone in the neighborhood wanted. In New Jersey continue to share his gifts and talents to provide for his family and community. In addition, he invested in a Hills Fish Market and a community theater to support my mother’s dreams and visions. My father was a good man, but he also had his challenges in life which sadly became a hinder to his family. Had my father lived he would have had all the qualifications between his children, son/daughter in laws and grandchildren in his household to operate a billion dollar company.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Cynthia Hill-Frazier, founder Candace & Friends Childhood Cancer Foundation
August 7, 1960
Burtonsville MD
Comment: Willie was my father and I am his 6th child. My father was the best dad I could've had. He set many examples of a good human-being and directed me away from the pitfalls in life and when I would stumble he was always there to pick me up. I knew him to have smoked Salem cigarettes all my life and often time purchased them for him on protest. We would often debate on the reasons why he should quit. As a teenager I advocated against smoking at my high school, Bridgeton Sr. High, refusing to use the students’ bathrooms because of the heavy bad odor of the cigarettes smell; therefore I was permitted to use the teacher’s restroom. Sadly my conversation with my dad became a taboo between us and I was also bully in high school, because of my views of smoking.

As the years continued on and the pain of smoking began to challenge his health I was fortunate to received opportunity of professional certified training as an Information Specialist with the Center for Disease Control and National Cancer Institute, there I learned the link between smoking and cancer and the many other related health concerns. I spoke to other smokers about their pain as a smoker and their desire to quite; therefore soon the taboo of my father quitting smoking ended between us. In addition my faith has taught me compassion and my communication skills that have developed into a conversation of hope.

I remembered admiring the United States Surgeon, Dr. C.E Koop 1982-1989 when he appeared on television with the message of the truth smoking via a Public Service Announcement (PSA) and it helped me with my efforts of a Call to Action against smoking. As a college student smoking was the subject of choice, as a writing assignment. I am always willing to share my knowledge and experience of my father hardship and pain of smoking, spreading the news of just how precious life is. How we are all subject to get cancer and how, smoking increases ones chance with the reality that more and longer ones smoke, the higher the risk of destroying one’s life. All while highlighting the many rewards of quitting.

My father experience of smoking and his many health concerns has helped me developed a message to communicate with compassion and hoped to all smokers. My last conversation with my dad was about smoking, just a few weeks before his untimely death, he stated "It’s not fair, but it's okay". I have struggled for years to understand exactly what he meant, now that I have the knowledge of the falsehood of the tobacco industries and their marketing strategy of billions of dollars; perhaps it was his way of accepting defeat.

The real truth is if my dad was alive today, he would have only been be eighty-three, still a young man with a host of grandchildren of three generations many more babies that he would had the opportunity to renamed them with a special nick-name. I am now the founder of Candace & Friends Childhood Cancer Foundation, supporting other families of children with cancer. After my own experience of my baby diagnose with cancer, I became the voice for of parents with children battling cancer as a result of no fault of their own. In addition I continued on, to advocate against smoking within my community. My efforts to encourage smokers to stop smoking has developed into a successful message of the good news to anyone, with the understanding “after they stop smoking their body will began to heal minus the number of years they have smoke; therefore its best to stop today.

Furthermore, my professional skills have open the doors and I have had the honor of representing childhood cancer at the President Cancer Panel, stood before both House and Senate advocating for funding disturbing through the National Institute of Health. I continue to challenge and helped others who smoke and provide them with, research and information on harmful effects of cigarettes and how to quit. My work experience and work ethics all began while working with my dad. I don’t remember how old I was when I started working for him, but I learned many wonderful skills from him, mixing cement, painting, laying bricks and office administrative duties which helped me developed my career. One of my fondest memory is watching my dad walk on the roof of our house. We were the only children who dad, walked on the roof, it was amazing and years later and a few months before his death I called home to check on him and my mom stated “he was fine, he was up on top of the roof; so he must be okay”.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Mark A. Hill
Hills Insulation
Millville NJ
November 29, 1961
Comment: Willie was my father and I am his 7/12 child. I had a great relationship with my father; although I did not know this until I became a father myself. All that I am is because of who my father taught me to be. I was employed by my father at an early age, I don’t remember when I started to work for him, it was something I did all my life. My father was a very hard working man and he was very hard on me and many times it appeared not to be fair. But now as a father and grandfather myself he was more than fair, he was preparing me for life. I attended community college and worked two years with the NJ Transit Railroad for a couple years, but so became self-employed following in my days footsteps. My successful business of Hills Insulation is the payment from my father dreams I have been able to financial support my immediate and help my extended family members, as well as my neighbor within my community . I remember my father smoking my whole life, Salem was his brand of choice often 2 to 3 packs a day. Many days on the construction site, all he had wanted was cigarettes and coffee. I remember watching how the demand of smoking took over his life with a frighten desire to smoke even until the end, he just could not help it and sadly he could not stop. Hills Insulation, is not just an avenue to financial support for my family it is a tribute to my dad and the reward of being his son.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Eric Gregg Hill Sr., Electricity Control Operator Contractor
Cedarville, NJ
Comment: Willie was my father and I am his 9^th child. My dad was the hardest working man I ever seen in my life. I have never saw a man that could work better than my little dad. I started working with my dad at the age of three. My dad was the best, he taught me the importants of being a man and a father. In addition he taught me how to work, he pass his skills and work ethics. I remember my father smoking Salem cigarettes and I brought more cigarettes then he did. It was what he required his children to do. I admire my dad, his love for his family and his community is truly something to be proud of, in spite of his inability to quit smoking.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

March 3, 1966
Comment: Willie was my father and I am his 10^th child. I was the baby boy of the family, but I did not escape the duty of buying cigarettes, Salem’s Cigarettes was his brand. I walked a half mile in the dark to purchase cigarettes for my dad. The nicotine effects was so high, even when his health failing, he would order me to bring him cigarettes to the hospital and I would man the door while he hid in the bathroom to smoke. Sadly, I did not know I was contributing to his demise, I was just following my dad’s orders. Still he was a good man and a hardworking man, I started working with him at a late age of ten and my only duty was to sit on a bucket and supervise the others. My supervising duties as a child prepared me for my responsibility in the military and federal prisons where I have recently retired from.

Vonda Allen, Educator/teacher
Millville, NJ
Age 47 Feb 12, 1970
Comment: Willie was my father and I am his 12th child, “his baby girl” and we had a very wonderful relationship more like partners in crime. As a child, usually when I got in trouble my dad was involved. He was my stealing cookies buddy, we would laugh and sneak and play even after my mom would have discipline me. There was no one like my dad, he treated me as if I was his only child and I returned his love back to him as if he was the only dad in the world. We were the Bonnie and Clyde of the family, no cookies were ever safe, if we were around. I truly loved my dad and he made sure that (I wanted for nothing) and it remained that way even towards the end of his life. I knew my dad smoked (Salem) cigarettes my whole life and I purchase them for him. I also witness him struggle with the pain of smoking and in his privacy of trying to quit. I was the daughter of confidentiality of the true man through his illness and I was also privilege to become one of his care-takers. My dad was the best, a good man and a wonderful grandfather to my children. His gift of love has helped me become a woman, wife and mother as the rock of my family. Still with the attitude and demand that everyone accept me as my father did, it did not always work out that way, but at least I know what true love is all about and I in return give it back to them. As an educator/teacher I distribute my father good work ethics to elementary students as a strong character to have in life. I also share the love my father gifted to me with all children and often time I witness a delight in their vitality and an improvement in the behavior of trouble children. My father was illiterate, but he understood the importants of education, good character, a strong work ethics which are the lessons I pass on to my children and students that cannot be found in a book.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

GRANDCHILDREN

Kimberly R. Frazier Attorney at Law
Burtonsville, MD
February 25, 1989
Comment: Willie was my grandfather, daughter to Cynthia and sadly, I remember a visit to my grandfather house and he was lying on the couch in the living room. We were talking and having fun, but sadly I don’t remember anything else.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview

Marnique Hill, EMT Operator
Millville NJ
Comment: Willie was my grandfather and my dad is Mark Hill, his seventh child. I had a very close relationship with him. I don’t remember if or what kind of cigarettes he smoked, but I remember the love he showed to me and my sibling. He was a very caring and giving man. He always brought us candy, ice cream and often time he just watched us play.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Candace R. Anthony., Hospital Administration/Artist-Author
England
Comment: Willie was my grandfather, daughter to Cynthia the Candace of Candace & Friends Childhood Cancer Foundation. I was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) at the age of 13 months and now I am 29 years old, a college graduate, a wife and a mother of 3 children. I don’t remember much about my grandfather except his missing leg and he giving me $36.58 when I was five years old. Money he had saved and he then told me it was important to save, “you got to learn how to save and give back to the Lord”. Now each pay check I automatic save five percent of my check and tithes ten percent, and all additional money I get, I saved for the lessons I learned from my grandfather. I don’t remember if he smoked nor do I remember his battle of cancer, all that I know is I am a survivor and he is not.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview.

KryShonda Williams, Blogger/Author
Millville NJ
June 20, 1984
Comment: Willie was my grandfather, I am the daughter of Mark. My grandfather was a good man and he was good to me and my siblings. He often time would come over our house and laugh, play and spoil us with candy. In addition, my grandfather taught me how to pray, he would also take us to church and we would get some more candy after church. I do remember him as smoking, but don’t I remember what kind.
Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Diamond Jane Lingo
Orlando FL
October 31, 1993

Willie was my great grandfather and his daughter Brenda is my grandmother, sadly I don’t remember him.

Finally, I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview

Victoria Hill-Herring
Bridgeton NJ
February 25, 1983
Comment: Willie was my grandfather and I am the oldest daughter of Mark Hill, the seventh child. My grandfather was the best, he would take my brother and me to church and to McDonalds. My grandfather was always there for me and I miss him very much. He was such a good grandfather I always felt loved and his absent is a proven evidence in my life, from my wedding day, to the birth of my children and the death of my two babies of the early departure of their lives. I know my grandfather would have rejoiced and cried with me as I faced the experience of womanhood. Now that I am experiencing trails of purchasing a home, had my grandfather been alive, I know he would be here to help me. I remembered my grandfather smoking cigarettes, but I don’t remember what kind.

Roosevelt Frankie Thomas-Stubbs
Dover D
February 6, 1986
Comment: Willie is my grandfather and his daughter Denise was my mother. I am now the head of my household providing daily care to my care to both my sixteen year old sister Bianca (3.1.1997) and my thirty-five year old severely handicap Brother James Jr. (3.6.1983). I remember my grandfather, he could fix anything. Once he came over and he, my dad (Frankie Stubbs) and I installed ceiling fan.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Pastor Joseph Swain
Faith Temple Assembly Church
Fairton NJ
December 18, 1944
Comment: Willie was my brother in law and I am the husband of Mary Swain number 10/17 siblings. I remember Willie as a good man, brother and friend. He was a good provider to his family and community. If anyone was in need they could depend on Willie. He supported me and my wife in our dream of becoming a home owner by selling us some of his land according to our budget allowing us to pay monthly payment and then the he assisted us in actual purchasing of our home. I knew Willie to be a smoker, but I do not remember what kind he smoked. I will always remember him from his generosity and the accomplishment of the children he raised.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Co-Pastor Mary Swain
Faith Temple Assembly Church
Fairton NJ
December 18, 1944
Comment: Willie was my brother in law and I am number 10/17 siblings. I have known Willie ever since he and my sister moved from the south with their seven children. Willie was committed to his large family and even larger extended family. He helped my husband and me with the purchase of land and home ownership. He was a contractor, man of God and a true example of loving your neighbor as you do yourself. I knew him to have smoked all the years that I knew him, but my fondest memory is when he taught me how to make Instant Banana Pudding which became one of our family favorite dessert at holiday and gatherings.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

First Lady Lillie Walters
Second Pilgrim Baptist Church
Millville NJ
November 28, 1951
Comment: Willie was brother in law and I am number 11/17 siblings. He was my buddy, he would often time stop by with candy for my five children and when the trails of life challenged my husband and me Willie was always there to help. He employed my husband when he was between jobs, he made repairs to our home and provided financial assistance in our time in need. I knew Willie to have smoked all my life, I did not remember what kind he smoked, but I will always remember the good deeds and his loving attention he bestowed to me and my family including parents George & Lottie Mack of seventeen children. Willie was wonderful man and a great uncle to my children.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview

Pastor Robert Walters
Second Pilgrim Baptist Church
Millville NJ
May 27, 1953
Comment: Willie was my brother in law and I am the husband to Lillie Walter’s number 11/17 siblings. Willie was a great man, he always looked out for me and my family as if we were his own. He was a very caring man and provided me with employment, housing and financial assistance. I could always depend on Willie and learned how to take care of my family as he took care of his. Willie was a smoker; although I don’t remember what kind he smoked, I do remember what kind of man he was and he will always be remembered as a great man.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Rev .John W. Mack, Pastor/Contractor
Cedarville NJ
Birthdate January 4, 1954
Comment: Willie was my brother in law, employer and friend. He was a positive influenced in my life with a demonstration of good- heartedness and fairness. I have known him all my life and I am number 12/17 siblings. I have just a few words that stand out in my mind as I reflect back about my friend, I am reminded of a good man, true to his-self and love-ones, he employed me at entry-level position in the field of construction; all while advising me to stay true to myself. Willie had a good personality with a determination of equal justice. Yes I knew Willie to be a smoker his whole life, Salem and a hot coffee with lots of sugar would be his choice for lunch. In addition he was a very hard working man. I am sure he sent me to the store to purchase cigarettes for him, but thankfully I don't remember what kind they were, but I will always remember my brother-in-law, a good man even in his death. Willie a brother-in-law, better known as my friend.

Finally, I will be pleased to participate in a face to face interview.

Carrie Marshall
New Castle DE
January 18, 1955
Willie was my brother in law and I am number 13/17 siblings. I have known Willie all my life as a good father to his children and a good man to his community including his extended family. I also knew him to be a smoker and although I don't remember what kind he smoked. I do remember the he was the first father in the neighborhood that brought his children an outdoor pool, which he invited us to join in. I remember him to be a hardworking man quiet and mellow, coming and going to his next project on behalf his family.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Amie Miles, Owner of Home Child Day Care
Bridgeton NJ
Comment: Willie was my brother in law and I knew him all my life. I am his 15th/of 17 siblings and can truly say he was a special person, I knew him to be friendly and giving as an important member of our family. In addition he treated my father and mother George and Lottie Mack with respect and kindness as if they were his own parents. I considered it a privilege to call him my brother.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face meeting

Rosa Holden, Owner No More Tears Day Care
May 11, 1960
Bridgeton NJ
Comment: Willie was my brother -in- law, and I am number 16/17 siblings. Because of our age difference he was more like an uncle, to me. I knew him all my life and I knew him to be a good man. I remember him smoking and drinking A lot; although I don't remember what kind of cigarettes he smoked, I do remember the many visit to his home and the love he showed to me and my family. He was more than a brother-in-law and uncle he was my friend. I believe among us all, I speak the loudest and clearest of who Willie Hill Jr was. A man of weakness, but more strength then we ever knew. He has been deceased for almost twenty years, but when his name is mentioned everyone expresses appreciation of having the opportunity to have known him.

Finally, I am ABSOLUTELY willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Donnie R. Hall Jr. Founder/Owner D. Halls Investments
Tulsa OK
Comment: Willie was my father-in-law to his second daughter Lorraine. I met him when I was about 16 years old when I started dating his daughter and after 30 years he became my father in law, friend, employer and mentor. I still contribute his support as a founder to my career and business of success. I knew him to be a smoker; although I do not remember what kind of cigarette he smoked, I am sure I brought a pack or two on his behalf, as a future son in law and employee it was a requirement of the job. Willie had a gift of parenthood and soon I too became his son, I am truly bless to have known him and be a part of his family and call him dad.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face meeting.

Terry Allen
Millville, NJ
Dec 8, 1969
Comment: Willie was my father in law to his 12th child Vonda. We had a close relationship of which he sent me to purchase the Salem Cigarettes, quite often. I am bless to have known him and be a part of the Hill Family which they had/have a good standing in our community.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview via letter or phone, due to job responsibilities.

Keith D. Frazier, Electronic Technician/Electrician
Hagerstown MD
November 11, 1958
Comment: Willie was my ex-father in law to his daughter Cynthia. Willie was a considerate man and he touched a lot of people’s lives, everybody knew him. He was very well loved in the community and we all miss him. He employed me and taught me the importants of family and work ethics. I knew that dad, smoked, the brand was Salem and I often purchase them for him. The skills I gained by working with him have help developed my career and my own since of accomplishment. I will always remember his ability to climb ladders and scale to the top of roofs with no fear.

Finally, I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Vivian Hill
Reform AL
Comment: Willie was my father in law and Darryl is my husband, Willie was my pop and I loved him. He treated me as a daughter and often time spent time with my family, at dinner and at play. He made many repairs to own in NJ as well. Pop smoked Salem cigarettes as long I knew him and I purchased a few packs for him. It was sad to watch the smoking destroy his health and it was equally sad to lose my dad to the same disease.

NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS

Gus Biauce,
Bridgeton NJ
Comment: Willie was my employer and friend, I was raised with his children and went to school with his daughter Brenda. Mr. Hill was a good man and by hiring someone like me, whom did not do well in school, taught me construction skills which I was able to make an honest living for myself and family. Do to my own health concerns, I don’t remember whether Mr. Hill smoked or not; because back then it was just what we did. Suffering from my own pain as an ex-smoker I can’t remember much. But I will always remember Mr. Hill because he was the one person who took the time to teach me how to be a man. I am white and I only share this information to show what a great man Mr. Hill was, because my skin color did not stop him for treating me like a son which I did not have in my own father. Even in my poor health, I feel it is my responsibility to check on Mrs. Hill and do whatever she need, done in her home because of the instruction I received from Mr. Hill. Now I am employed by his daughter Brenda, she and her husband treats me as her father did. Brenda looks out for me as a true friend, she makes sure I have a job to keep me employed and she keep me involved with our classmates as if I am the most successful one in the group. Although I did not do well in school or life, I can’t image my life without the Hill Family.

Finally, I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview, due to my health concerns.

Charles Kates, Educator
Catonsville MD
Comment: Willie was a good friend of my parents Mr. & Mrs. John Kates. They all migrated from the South and soon became friends and family in the Cedarville/Bridgeton area. My parents and Mr. & Mrs. Hill was long-term friends and often times fellowship in church together. I did not know him well, but I knew his children and I knew his relationship with my parents. Mr. Hill and my dad both had many of the same challenges in life, with my father as a mentor to Mr. Hill. In those days they were just trying to survive and do what was best for their families. My father was born on May 17, 1923 and my mother November 9, 1924 they are both deceased. Sadly my father was a heavy smoker too, he could not stop even after he had a stroke and our family watch the horror of his life disappear as did the Hill Family with their dad. I can remember the times when Mr. Hill would stop by our house and he and my dad spent hours talking and making repairs around the house. I can also remember my dad visiting the Hill homes as a welcomed guest at any time. Like Mr. Hill my father had a large family too (eleven children) and they helped each other to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. Now, our parents are deceased except Mrs. Hill, but their children and grandchildren are still friends and family. I don’t remember Mr. Hill smoking nor what kind, but I am honored to have known him as my father friend.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Beverly Stubbs, Accountant
Pittsgrove NJ
Comment: I am the wife to Roosevelt (Frankie Sr.) Stubbs and he is Willie’s daughter Denise’s ex-husband. Although Denise and Roosevelt got a devoiced Mr. Hill maintained a father/son relationship with my husband and he treated me as his daughter. Mr. Hill was a sweet man, very kind and understanding. My husband continued to work for him and go fishing with him. Mr. Hill would often time have dinner with us, just as he did with his own children. I am a long term friend of the Hill family, I went to school with Cynthia and Mark and I had a loving sister relationship with Denise. I am still friends with the Hill family and feel welcome and adore by them and I adore them too. I don’t remember Mr. Hill smoking, but I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Beverly Stubbs, Accountant
Pittsgrove NJ
Comment: Willie Hill was my employer and friend. I knew Mr. Hill from his position in the church and the community. The Hills and Kings were family, we often spent times together after church, we cooked-out on the grill and ate together for hours and our time together was more like a holiday celebration. Our family and his family were friends for years, I can remember everything about Mr. Hill. The summer time with the Hill family was the best, I was a good friend with his daughter Lorraine. I can also remember how protective Mr. Hill was over his daughters and all the young men had a stay an order from the beginning. He was a lot of fun and the time we spent with him was the best. Sadly, my father has also departed and our two mothers have gotten old, but they are still in the houses that their husbands had built and prepared for them.

Mr. Hill employed me as a driver and helper in his constructor business. I purchase cigarettes all the time, but the one thing I can’t remember is what kind. I do remember it was not menthol because he hated menthol. Mr. Hill was a great man and I am a better man having to have known him in my most precious years of my life, my youth.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview, due to my health.

Edward Mitchell, Construction/ Head Chef
Norfolk VA
Comment: Willie was my neighbor and friend, no he was much like a father figure. In our neighborhood the adults looked after all the children as if they were their own. Mr. Hill did that for me, he employed me as a driver and taught me skills in the construction business. Mr. Hill had a house full of children and yet there was room for me in his life and at the dinner table. He helped me to purchase a van and gave me instruction on how to become a man. I had a difficulty young adult life, but I was able to turn back in the right direction with the support of the Hill Family. They are my family and I am their brother. I went to school with Brenda and Cynthia, we fellowship in church together and I went to church with Mr. Hill. I knew that Mr. Hill smoked cigarettes and many times I was sent to the store to buy them for him; no I don’t remember what kind he smoked.

Finally I am willing to participate in a face to face interview.

Alice Murphy, Retired
Cedarville, NJ
Comment: Willie was my neighbor, I met Willie and Cora forty-seven years ago. We were married the same year and Willis and I have celebrated sixty years. Willie was a man of God and loved his wife and children. He had his trails in life, but don’t we all, but he managed to keep a roof over his family head and food on the table. I remember a hardworking man and a good neighbor. He looked out for the people in is neighbor as he did his family, yes a good man.

Finally I am not willing to participate in a face to face interview.