Mr. Bernard Wallace "B.W." Hill Obituary (1924

Mr. Bernard Wallace "B.W." Hill was born March 28, 1924, in Vardaman and spent his childhood in Bruce as the son of the late Avery Alexander and Naomi Brown Hill. He moved with his family to West Point in 1941 where he graduated from West Point High School. He attended The University of Mississippi, where he found his first love - the Rebels - and faithfully attended his beloved Ole Miss football games for over 60 years. Mr. B.W. operated his family chain of Hill's Department Stores in several locations across both Mississippi and Alabama. At the Eupora location, Mr. Hill met his future wife in 1952. Miss Ruth Gary, a schoolteacher, walked into the store to purchase a particular pair of sandals. Mr. B.W. assured that while he did not have them in stock, he would be more than happy to order the sandals for her and asked for her to check back the next week hoping to keep her returning to the store. This same process happened the next week, and the next-by the forth time Miss Ruth returned to the store, she agreed to a date with the handsome Mr. Hill. He had never once placed the order for the sandals. He loved her from that first moment she walked into the store and loved her every day after. The couple soon married and owned and operated both Hill's Department Store and Hill's Landing in West Point until their retirements in 2002. The business had been run by the Hill family for over 98 years. Known to many as "Papaw," including his grandchildren and their friends, Mr. Hill had an ever-present grin and timeless sense of style. As a great family friend noted, "Heaven just upgraded their dress code!" Though he took pride in his attire, he was most proud of his greatest accomplishments: his family. Mr. Hill never missed a single one of his grandchildren's basketball games, piano recitals, Bible drills, plays, church programs, or graduations. If you spoke to Papaw for more than a minute, the conversation would soon turn to his grandchildren and a smile would spread across his face. He instilled in each of us his wisdom, his love, and-most importantly-his ever-present Christian faith. Papaw was a wonderful man, a great husband, a loving father, and the best grandfather. With his outgoing personality, he never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. He lived life as we all hope to live. We will cherish the times we spent with him, the vacations we took together, the games of Rook we played late into the night, and the privilege of driving his cart as he played a round of golf. But most of all, we will cherish the opportunities he took to tell us that he loved us, which were abundant. Mr. Hill was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon, member of the Adult 6 Sunday School Class, and Usher. He was a Past Member of the West Point Lions Club and Exchange Club. He was a member of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. He was a member of the West Point Masonic Lodge #40 F.&A.M. He was a member of the West Point Chapter #95 of the York Rite. He was a member of the West Point Council #20 of the York Rite. He was a member of the West Point Commandry #16 of the York Rite. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason of the Corinth Constiry. He was a Hamasa Shriner and member of the Starkville Shrine Club. He was also a member of the Tombigbee Shrine Club, having served the club both as a former Secretary and President. He was a member of the American Legion. He was an United States Army Veteran of World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his Sister Kathryn (Kay) Hill Steele; His Brother: William Avery Hill; and his Nephew: Richard Avery Hill. Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. from First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dale Funderburg officiating and assisted by Dr. James Towery. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include His Beloved Wife of 62 years Ruth Gary Hill; His Two Daughters, Debbie Hill Billington (Dr. William) and Donna Hill Ross (Scott) all of West Point; Six Grandchildren: Morgan Billington and Gary Billington both of Charlotte, N.C., Ross Billington, Lauren Billington, Katherine Ross, and Stephen Ross all being of West Point; One Brother, Hal Eugene Hill of Orange Beach, AL. Pallbearers will be Gregg Kaiser, Keith Holton, William Downer, Scott Reed, Edgar Harris, and Wes Williamson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chuck and Bee Brister, Dr. Jimmy Johnson, Stanley Spradling, Charles Magers, Robert Smith, Charlie and Mary Lou Smith, Michael Mosimann, Robert Ed Gary, Harold Ray Gary, Mary Reese, Caradine Young, Jeff Foster, Mike Dotson, Stephen Moore, Tim Fowler, Grady Davis, Ed Lyon, Jim Crum, Glen Brown, Nurses & Staff North Mississippi Home Health Care, Members of Tombigbee Shrine Club, and the Adult 6 Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, C/O Piano Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 794, West Point, MS 39773 or to Mississippi Children's Home, P.O. Box 1078, Jackson, MS 39215. Visitation will be Monday 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Calvert Funeral Home and Tuesday from 1:00-2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church.