Dr. Jack D. Hill

Dr. Jack D. (J.D.) Hill, age 86 years, graduated to heaven at Parkway Manor in Marion, Illinois on Friday afternoon, March 7, 2025, at 3:20 P.M., surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather to his many family members which included three children, their spouses, twelve grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Jack was born August 2, 1938 to Herman R. and Nellie Lee (Dooley) Hill. He was an educator for almost fifty years, having served as a teacher in O’Fallon, Hurst, West Frankfort and Marion School districts (Illinois). He also served as Assistant County Superintendent of Schools (Williamson County, Illinois) under the late Lee Booth. A good part of Dr. Hill’s career was spent in community college work, first at John A. Logan College, Carterville, Illinois in various capacities including many years as Vice President of Instruction. He also served six years as President of Shawnee Community College, Ullin, Illinois, until his retirement in 1995. Following that, he was named Executive Director of the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market, Herrin, Illinois, a position he held for ten years. He also served as Interim President of Kaskaskia College, Centralia, Illinois. After graduating from Marion High School, Dr. Hill earned bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois and a Masters of Ministry degree from Crown College of the Bible, Knoxville, Tennessee. Jack served in the United States Army, as well as the Army and Air Force Reserves, earning the rank of staff sergeant. He married Mary A. DeBoe of Marion on June 14, 1958. The service was performed by the late Reverend Lee Swope at the First Baptist Church in Marion. This union produced three children: Terri Lynn (Rick) Parks of Crab Orchard, Illinois; Beth Ann (Keith) Harp of Tyler, Texas; and Michael Joseph (Regina) Hill of Marion, Illinois. He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law – Martha and Don VanCleve of Paducah, Kentucky; a sister-in-law – Lori Hill of Steeleville, Illinois; and a sister and brother-in-law – Marsha and Alan Clemons of Marion, Illinois. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren – Cassie (Josh) McKinney and Christa Parks all of Crab Orchard, Illinois; Amanda Peirce of Tyler, Texas; Brittnee Harp and Makayla Harp both of Tyler, Texas; Joshlyn (Carson) Shamsie of Yukon, Oklahoma; Anna (Martin) Dodgen of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Christian (Chelsie Boswell) Harp of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Emma Harp and Cross Harp both of Tyler, Texas; Rachael (Kyle) Wolfe of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; and Seth (Katelyn) Hill of Herrin, Illinois. 14 great grandchildren – Alexis Peirce, Mary Elizabeth Peirce and Elly Delgado-Charles all of Tyler, Texas, Alisyn McKinney and Rigley McKinney both of Creal Springs, Illinois, Carly Parks and Chloe Parks both of Crab Orchard, Illinois, Blakely Shamsie, Jordyn Shamsie, and Kendall Shamsie all of Yukon, Oklahoma; Isaiah Harper and Boone Harp both of Tyler, Texas; and Adeline Wolfe and Elaine Wolfe both of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by three brothers – Raymond L., Johnny and Jimmy Hill. Dr. Hill was an ordained Baptist minister and served as pastor at Ullin First Baptist Church, Springhill Baptist Church near Creal Springs and New Salem Baptist Church, also near Creal Springs. He preached revivals and filled many pulpits throughout the area. In addition, he served as music director for many years at Victory Baptist Church, Crainville, Illinois. He was a member of the Victory Quartet, which ministered throughout southern Illinois. Dr. Hill also had a solo ministry which combined preaching and music directing for revivals and special church events. He was also an active song writer and published six southern gospel CD projects. His music has been heard throughout the four-state area. He had a popular radio program called the Happy Hills Old-Time Gospel Hour which was heard on WXAN, Ava, Illinois and WIBH, Anna, Illinois. Dr. Hill was active in the community having served on the Marion Unit 2 School Board, as president of the Marion Unit Education Association, and on the Board of Directors of the former Tamms State Bank and the Southern Illinois Schools Credit Union. In addition to music, he was at one time an active runner and tennis player. He continued to enjoy walking, gardening, spending time with his family and traveling with Mary. A funeral service honoring the life of Dr. Jack D. Hill will be conducted Monday, March 10, 2025 at 12 P.M. noon at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Bill Schell will officiate. Burial will be in the Friendship Cemetery near Goreville. Military rites will be accorded. There will be a time of visitation from 11 A.M. until the time of service at 12 P.M. on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 1635 Friendship Loop, Goreville, Illinois 62939, Springhill Baptist Church, 3599 Palzo Road, Creal Springs, Illinois 62922, the Shawnee Community College Foundation, 8364 Shawnee College Road, Ullin, Illinois 62992, or to John A. Logan Community College, 700 Logan College Drive, Carterville, Illinois 62918. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Parkway Manor in Marion, Illinois for the loving and tender care which has been shown to Jack during the past two years while he was a resident in that facility.

Dr. Jack D. Hill

August 2, 1938 - March 7, 2025