Dr. William Wesley Hill, 73

Dr. William Wesley Hill, 73, of Demopolis, Ala., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. He was born March 14, 1940, in Edneyville.

Dr. Hill is survived by his wife, Barbara Oates Hill of Demopolis, Ala.; his children Dr. William W. Hill II (Spouse, Dana Hill) of Demopolis and Holly Hill Beckham (Spouse, Tom Beckham) of Cornelius; his seven grandchildren (Jonathan Strickland, William Hill III, Sydney Hill, Meredith Hill, Amelia Grace Hill, Tucker Beckham, and Trevor Beckham); and his sister, Peggy Hill Messer of Edneyville. He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Hill Strickland and his parents, Sidney and Grace Hill of Edneyville.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at Kirk Funeral Home in Demopolis, Ala.. The Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church of Demopolis. The Burial Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Edneyville. Visitation at Mount Moriah will be from 9:30-10:30 before the service.

The Hill Family would like to especially thank the wonderful caregivers who have helped care for Wesley over the last 4½ years.

A devoted husband and father, and a passionate educator, Wesley served as Superintendent of Demopolis City Schools from 1980 to 2007. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving Superintendent in the state of Alabama.

Born in Hendersonville, Wesley was one of the best basketball players in Western North Carolina playing for Edneyville High School in the late 1950s. He was an all-sports athlete playing baseball and football.

In college, Wesley received a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University, a master's degree from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate degree from the University of Alabama. It was at the University of Alabama from 1969-1972 where he and his family began a lifelong passion for the Crimson Tide of Alabama. Even when he moved away from the state of Alabama for several years, Wesley and family were never too far from Alabama football often traveling back to the state of Alabama purely for a ball game.

After college, Wesley taught school and coached all sports, and when he coached, he delivered, winning area and district championships in basketball in the state of South Carolina. This pride and devotion to excellence was not lost with his wife, children, and grandchildren who are avidly involved with athletics to this day.

As the Superintendent of Demopolis City Schools, Dr. Hill took great pride in high school athletics and the goal of excellence. He never missed an event. He believed that students should be involved in youth activities, not just sports.

Dr. Hill's other interests included his support of the Boy Scouts of American. He was an Eagle Scout in Edneyville and was a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America in Demopolis, Ala. Wesley was a member of First United Methodist Church of Demopolis where he sang in the choir and taught Sunday school for more than 30 years. He served in Rotary International for more than 35 years and was awarded the Paul Harris Award in 2002. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chamber of Commerce of Demopolis for his outstanding service to the school system and community.

Dr. Hill enjoyed playing golf and attending athletic events at all levels. He enjoyed taking trips around the USA and several foreign countries with his wife of 50 years. He also took many memorable trips with his children and grandchildren.

If you wish to send a memorial, please consider the Demopolis City Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 1338, 102 East Washington Street, Demopolis, AL 36732; Phone: (334) 289-2226; Fax: (334) 289-2207; E-mail: dcsf@westal.net.

Jackson Funeral Service is in charge of local arrangements. Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.