Willie Mae Hill

On September 14, 1944, in Kewanee, Missouri Willie B. and Annie B. Brown Hill welcomed the birth of their second child a baby girl they named Willie Mae. The family later moved back to Arkadelphia where Willie Mae joined St. Paul AME Church and attended Peake High School. She was not a woman of many words, but of few words and of many virtues. She always maintained a humble spirit and mild disposition throughout her life in spite of her disabilities. We will remember her infectious smile, her love, and laugh. Although her limitations wouldn’t allow for her to attend church, Willie Mae knew and loved the Lord. She was a cheerful and happy person who rarely had a bad day. She loved her family and life. One would ask the question; with her disability and limitations how could she be so happy? We know that Willie Mae accepted what God allowed. She was a constant companion and dearest friend to her mother, Annie B. She was especially close to her granddaughters, nieces and nephews. On Sunday, December 6, 2009, in her 65th season, Willie Mae answered the call that no man can refuse and surrendered her soul to Christ. Awaiting her arrival were her father Willie B. Hill (1992), brother Larry Hill (1950) and sister Martha Hill (1991). Because love is far greater than death Willie Mae departs this earth in body only. Those left to celebrate her life are her son, Kenneth (Tanya) Walker of Arkadelphia; two granddaughters, Reyenga Walker of Bryant, AR, and Kaitlon Walker of Arkadelphia; her loving mother and caregiver , Annie B. Hill of Arkadelphia; five sisters, Virginia Jefferson of Arkadelphia, Mattie McClure of Curtis, AR, Brenda (Ricky) Govan of Arkadelphia, Tammy (Russell) Zambrana of Arkadelphia, and Melissa (Dale) Box of Arkadelphia; five brothers, Robert (Mildred) Hill of Camden, AR, Glenn, Sr. (Gloria) Hill of Gum Springs, AR, Tommie Hill of Arkadelphia, Gary (Janice) Hill of Gurdon, AR, and Rodney (Carolyn) Hill of Gurdon, AR; nine aunts, Francis Middleton of Arkadelphia, Flossie Summerville of Arkadelphia, Hazel (Thomas) Bailey of Arkadelphia, Joetta (John) Tatum of Arkadelphia, Wilbertine Hill of Union City, CA, Eva Hill of Arkadelphia, Rosetta Brown of Los Angeles, CA, Melva J. Brown of San Diego, CA, and Gertie Mae Dixon of Arkadelphia; 117 nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends. The body of Willie Mae Hill will lie in state on Friday, December 11, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6 – 7 p.m. The final farewell and celebration to her life will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul AME Church, where Presiding Elder James H. Giles, Sr., is the pastor and will deliver the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Springhill Cemetery-Clayborn Chapel in Arkadelphia. Bearers of the casket will be David Crockett, Anthony Keity Roberts, Jahrel Jones, William Harris, Chuck Davis, Jermaine Jefferson, Alvin Smith and Ollie Buckley. Honorary bearers will be Devon Zambrana, Glenn Hill, Jr., Samyon Hill, Drew Hill, Zachery Hill, Leotis McClure, Kenny McClure and Timothy Means.