Samuel Hardy Hill, Jr.

Samuel Hardy (Sam) Hill, Jr., of Mexia, passed away at Windsor Healthcare Residence in Groesbeck on Monday, September 9, 2013, at age 74. Sam was born January 6, 1939 to Samuel Hardy Hill and Olga Maude (Dooley) Hill in Houston, and attended school at San Marcos Military Academy. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1957 and served through 1961. In 1960, Sam married Sandra Kay Smitherman, and they raised three children together. He was stationed in Guam and received on- the-job training as an air traffic controller. After the military, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration at many different air traffic control facilities in Texas and Oklahoma. He retired from the FAA in 1976, and entered Oklahoma State University to become a safety engineer. He received his degree, and worked in the United States and overseas as a fire and safety consultant. In 1984, he moved to Limestone County, between Groesbeck and Mexia, to be near his daughter Tracy and her family. His daughter introduced him to her neighbor, Deanna Dee Wright, and they were united in marriage on September 30, 1987 in Franklin. Sam worked at Fort Parker State Park in the office for twelve years, and then worked in the office at the coal mine in Jewett, as long as his health permitted. He loved everything about airplanes and viewing them at the Smithsonian. He enjoyed taking his children to amusement parks and on hunting trips when they were young. He and Deanna enjoyed camping in their travel trailer. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan. Sam and Deanne had moved into Mexia four months ago, but his health problems made it necessary for him to reside at Windsor the past couple of weeks. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Gerald Davis. He is survived by his wife, Deanna Dee Hill of Mexia; daughter and son-in-law, Tracy Lee and Johnny George of Groesbeck; daughter, Jeri Carlene Whitehorn of Freeport, son and daughter-in-law, Samuel Hardy Hill III and Kristine of King George, VA; and step-daughter, Robin Deann Wright of Brownwood; ten grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.