Leland C. Hill

Leland Curtis Hill, 90, heard those words that we all strive to hear one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ as he transitioned to his Heavenly Home on Monday morning, May 6, 2024, from his home in Tippah County.

Services honoring Mr. Hill's life will be at 1 PM Friday, May 10, 2024, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with visitation from 11 AM until service time. Bro. Robert McKee will officiate and his daughter, Rebecca Maino will be sharing the Eulogy. Burial will follow in Tippah Memorial Gardens.

Born in Selmer, Tennessee on April 10, 1934, Mr. Hill was the oldest of thirteen children raised in Tishomingo County, by his late mother and father, Curtis Hill and Ettie Nell Flatt Hill. He received his education from Paden County Public School System, before proudly joining the Army to serve his country. During his time in service, Mr. Hill was stationed in various parts of the world, that included Germany, working as a Combat Medic Specialist and driving an ambulance. After his discharge, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he began his career as a Union Iron Craft Worker with Local 167. Always having his hair combed, pants ironed, and favorite cologne, he believed in hard work and played a major role in the construction of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Central Church, Wolfe Chase Mall, and other various buildings that were built in the Memphis Area. After 36 years of dedication to Iron Work, Mr. Hill finally retired in 1996 from Fisher Steele Corporation.

A Christan and longtime member of Harmontown Baptist Church in Como, MS, Mr. Hill was a Godly man who served as deacon for his church, studied the word often, and led others in the congregation by example. His dedication to others did not just stop with his church, but always offering a helping hand to anyone in his community. From plowing neighbors' gardens, cutting grass for people who were sick, and visiting those in need, Mr. Hill never did any of these things for recognition, because he knew he was doing was God's work.

His dedication to his family was also very clear to see, as he came from a large close-knit family. He always looked forward to all family functions, especially the annual Hill Family Reunion. To know Mr. Hill was to love him. He was full of life, loved to laugh, as he was a true people person making multiple friends in his life and even joking about how dogs and cats loved him, as strays came up to his house often. He always named them "Sooner", stating to others, "I guess they would Sooner be at my house than yours." His days where often spent outdoors on the water, fishing, boating, hunting, sharing time with his wife, Joyce and their dog, "Little Bit, and being a wonderful father and "Papaw" to his children and grandchildren. 

Even during Mr. Hill's sickness, he never let it bring his spirits down, so today we Celebrate the life of Mr. Hill and reflect upon a life that was so well lived.  We also express a profound sense of loss we all feel for a man who touched so many lives in way words could never express. Mr. Hill was not just a friend; he was a constant source of light and warmth to others and a caring soul who always helped others. His dedication to being a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior, and loving husband, father, Papaw, and brother, he will never be forgotten,

In addition to his wife, Joyce Drown Hill, those left to cherish his memories include two daughters, Sandra Johnson, and Rebecca Maino, one son, Gary Gannon (Tamara), seven sisters, Betty Wigginton (James), Helen Easly, Jeanette Burgess, Shirley Moore, Evelyn Jean Wooten (David), Ella Mae Hill (Larry Martin), and Patsy Kumar (Vinod), three brothers, Roth Lee Hill (Patricia), Charles Ray Hill (Jinnie), and J. T. Hill (Ruth), four grandchildren, Kimberly Gannon (Danny Cepeda), Thomas Gannon (Megan), Tashuna Johnson Kennedy (Johnathon), and Ian Maino, four great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He is also preceded in death by one son, Ty Drown, two brothers, Paul Earl Hill and James Sydney Hill, and his wife of 54 years, Betty June Thompson Hill.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Curtis Hill, Eric Hill, Donald Hill, Parvish Kumar, Gary Gannon, and Chris Abernathy, along with grandson, Ian Maino serving as honorary pallbearer.

Donations can be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with the Hill family. 

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