Francis Anthony Hill
March 15, 1925 ~ March 31, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Francis Anthony Hill, 85, of the Riceville area, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
He was born on March 15, 1925, in Statesville, NC, to the late Charles Owen and Marie Clarke Hill.
He was the beloved husband for 61 years of Peggy Brown Hill, and the dear father of Suzanna Hill Garfield, of Charleston, SC, and Steven Anthony Hill, of Asheville. Francis had five siblings who preceded him in death.
Francis joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17, and served in Okinawa during WWII.
He was later employed by Southern Railroad, and retired from Gerber Products, both in Asheville.
Francis was raised in St. Lawrence Catholic Church. and was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, in Swannanoa.
Above all, Francis was a treasure to his family, a gentleman, and an inspiration to all he met. The family extends sincere appreciation to all his friends for their love, support, and friendship, especially to dear Susie Sharpe for her love and devotion.
The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hill are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Matthew Leonard officiating. The Rite of Committal will be at Calvary Churchyard, in Fletcher, following the Mass, with military honors performed by the Buncombe Co Veterans Council Memorial Team.
The Rev. Mr. Ralph Eckoff will officiate at a Wake Service which will begin at 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. The service is anticipated to last approximately 15 minutes, after which his family will receive friends until 8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Asheville Humane Society, 55 Shiloh Road, Ste. 6, Asheville, NC 28803, or to Riceville VFD, 2251 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
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Peggy and Family, Francis was 1 year ahead of me at Lee Edwards and I always remember his great smile and friendly personality. In recent years I have only seen him occasionally at the barber shop as we have used the same barber. Joe Mehaffey of Hendersonville who used to work at Southern RR with Francis called me this morning to make certain I had seen the obituary. We are never ready to lose our loved ones. The only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the concern manifested by friends. Please know we are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. Joe & Zunita Clark
Peggy, Suzanna & Steve,
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Francis. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Dear Peggy. Joe Clark notified me of the passing of Francis. I am very sorry to hear about it. I think of the years Katherine and I, had with you guys on Saturday nights, as well as other times. He truly, will be missed by many of your friends.
Walt
Peggy & Steve, So sorry for your loss, Francis ‘Frank’ was a wonderful person, and we will miss him. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear the news of the passing of Frank. He was such a sweet person and I always looked forward to seeing him at the dentist office. I know the days ahead will be difficult but remember you will be in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. You all take care and if you need anything just call me at the office. I will be thinking of all of you. May God Bless you!! Sincerely, Marsha/Dr. Rebol
Dearest Peggy,Steve,and Suzanna, We are so sorry that these last days have been so difficult and sad for Francis and for all of you. Francis was always a man of great humor and gentlness, full of true grace. Weren’t we all blessed to grow up in Keniworth, sharing our homes and families through all those years? We love you all and pray for your peace of heart and mind. Cathy and Gary, Libby, and Patty
Peggy, Suzanna, and Steve,
We were so sorry to hear about Francis. Tracy and I know that this is a very difficult time for you all, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Stanfiel Miller
Tracy Stanfiel
What precious memories I have of Francis and Peggy Hill and their eye appointments at Dr. Brosnan’s office.
They were like family so their appointments were more like family visits. My heartfelt condolences to you, Peggy, and the family.
Sandra (Sandy) Penley
Dear Peggy, Steve and Susanna, I guess it has to come to all of us, but an era ended for me when I saw Francis’s obituary.
I remember when we were building Gerber’s and daddy would take me to visit at the Southern RR office to discuss details and later to try to ‘woo’ Francis away to join him at the plant. What a great team they made! I still remember the big charts he would make before computers, showing where each car was on any given day.
He will always be remembered by all of us who knew him. My thoughts are with you all. Love, Pam
Dear Peggy, Steven, and Susanna:
Sorry to learn of your loss. Francis’ father,Charlie Owen Hill, was older brother to my Grandfather Wade Clifton Hill 1882-1960. I will share family information if you are interested.
Robert L Hill DMD
Col(Ret)USAF DC
Francis was indeed a treasure, as you all are.
I always recall his quiet, sweet demeaner.
And his pipe.
My love and sympathy to you all, Peggy, Suzanna and Steve.
Patty
Mrs Hill,
All my love to you and your son and daughter. Mr Hill was ‘one of a kind’, yet always jovial and friendly, even on those days when I knew he didn’t feel well. He will be missed. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Diana
Suzanna, I am sending you my deepest sympathies. I remember how fondly you talked of you father. It has been a long time but I still think of you often.
Love, Jen
Peggy, Suzanna and Steven,
We just learned of the passing of Mr. Hill. He was a wonderful man.
I(Pat)worked with Mr. Hill for many years at Gerber. I will always remember his smiling face and sense of humor. He was a joy to be around.
All of you will be in our prayers.
God Bless.
Dad,
Thanks for making my life so happy. I miss you so much. Please watch over us. I will love you forever.
Steve
I was so sorry to just learn of your loss. Erin and I loved your husband and father very much! He was so very good to Erin when she was a little girl and she often mentions him – remembering him with fondness and love. He was always such a fine man – gentle, sweet and giving. We are so very sorry for your loss.