Ray Reinhardt Hill

Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 marked the passing of Ray Reinhardt Hill of Siloam Springs, Ark. Born Oct. 23, 1917 in Sandoval, Ill., Ray was 97 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben J. and Nettie Hill; his brothers, James and David; sister, Gertrude and his beloved wife of 57 years, Anna Belle Gibson Hill. Ray is survived by his two sons, Richard R. Hill and his wife Maureen Otis Adams and Ben J. Hill; grandsons, Morgan Sunhouse Hill and Jesse GreenHill and his wife Bay; granddaughter, Ann Gibson Hill; great-grandchildren, Stella, Mosely, Hazel, Anson and Aaron; numerous step-grandchildren; two much-loved nieces, Gayl and Pat and their daughters, Leesa, Rachel, Audrey and Sloan; sister-in-law and lifelong friend, Emalee Steele and many, many friends, all of whom knew him affectionately as "Pop." Pop retired to Siloam Springs in 1979 after 43 years in the oil field equipment business with National Supply Company. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years prior to WWII aboard the USS Indianapolis. He was a U.S. ranked Golden Gloves boxing champion with a 25-2 record. He was a lifelong fisherman of Oklahoma and Arkansas streams. He followed the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team for many years, from radio to modern World Series play on television. In retirement, Pop enjoyed growing roses and working with his son, Ben, on numerous horticultural projects on his property in Siloam Springs. He also contributed to the community through Sager Creek Arts Center. His work included feature roles in "Fiddler on the Roof" (Rabbi) and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (Erronius). As a Christian, Ray was truly ecumenical, faithfully attending Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Bible churches. For the past 20 years he has been a valued member of the Grace Episcopal Church family. "He was a man who lived an ordinary life beautifully" – Gayl Services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.