John F. Hill's Obituary
John F. Hill, age 85, died March 28th in Gainesville, Fl after a long fight with various health issues. He was born on March 22, 1937, in Gainesville, FL. to Lott Columbus Hill and Ora Lou Hill. He had 6 brothers and 2 sisters. He graduated from Gainesville High in 1955. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp in 1956 and served until 1959 when he returned to Gainesville where he began working for the city of Gainesville. He along with his High School friend Julian McCranie worked for the City until 1960 when John left to begin a 35-year career with Southern Bell Telephone Company. He started out in 1960 climbing telephone poles as a cable person and then after he broke his leg in a baseball game in 1964, he became an installer and repairman until 1970. His next job for Ma Bell was as a supervisor of installation, repair, cables, routing, and dispatching repairmen. Later he would be in charge of all of the payphone repair and maintenance in this area. He loved his co-workers and made many lifelong friends.
It did not take John long to discover that he was not ready for “retired life” so he pursued several odd jobs including delivering auto parts and working for a delivery service that took him to many other towns.
Around 1995 he began working for two brothers, Jim and Pat Parrish as an investigator for their engineering company. This job, John said, he truly loved.
After he retired again, he was content home and “help out” around the house.
During his youth, John baseball and football at GHS. As an adult he coached baseball and football for the boys Club. He was loved and respected by many young men. He adored the Florida Gators and one of the highlights of his life was working with the UF football team as the “cable headset coordinator.” This put him on sidelines for all the football games which he dearly loved.
In 1981 this career ended when he was “run over” by a player on the sidelines resulting in another broken leg.
He continued to attend as many games as he could and watch the others from his armchair.
He attended First Baptist Church after marrying his wife Sybil Ann Carter in 1960 until the year 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit requiring churches and most other activities to be put on hold
As a participant at First Baptist he assisted wife Sybil and friend Faye Bush teach Sunday School to 3- year olds.
John is survived by his loving wife Sybil Ann Carter Hill, two sisters, Irene Duncan and Jaunita Harris and his brother Sam Hill.
He was predeceased by his daughter Julie Elaine Hill.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children Janet Gil, John Hill Jr., Jamie Hill (Romana) and Jason Hill (Hollie). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Coy, Mackenzie, Anthony, Viviana, JJ., Carter, Cristina, Camden, Gracelyn, and Ellison and also 3 great-grandchildren Raylee, Cooper and Alanna.
He never met a stranger. He had an excellent memory for dates and names and faces.
He was fiercely protective of his family and made sure they were always ok.
He loved the comedy of stars like Jerry Clower and he enjoyed the music of stars like Merle Haggard and George Strait.
He loved to tell jokes and have visitors. He had so many friends! He loved so many people! He was generous and unselfish.
He and his wife Sybil Ann Carter Hill would have celebrated their Diamond - 60th - wedding anniversary in August.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 1, 2022, at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea 823 143rd street from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Gainesville at 11:00 am with Pastor Eric Spivey.
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