Ronnie Mack Hill

Ronnie Mack Hill, of Kosse, passed away at his home surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at age 67.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Lynn Kemp officiating.  Burial will follow in the Kosse City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dallas Hill, Gregory Hill, Justin Hill, Chuck Seale, Gary Hill, Alton Hill, Elias Hill and Greg Russell.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Pipeliners Local Union 798.

Ronnie was born November 16, 1955, to George Henry Hill and Martha Jane (Kinny) Hill (Keller) in Oak Grove, (West Carroll Parish) Louisiana, where he grew up.   He graduated from Kilbourne High School. 

Ronnie began working after high school on the farm, then welding and working offshore.  In 1981, he joined the Pipeliners Local Union 798 and continued the rest of his life in pipeline work.   He worked for multiple contractors throughout the United States and the world, including South America and Africa. After one close call in Africa, he refused to return there; however he loved South America.   He seriously wanted to buy land and move somewhere, either in Bolivia, Paraguay, or El Salvador.   He loved the cowboy stories from that region, especially of the Sundance Kid.

Many times, his four children were able to spend the summer with him when he was on job locations in the United States.  He would always find interesting things to do wherever he was located while off duty, whether hiking, cave exploring, visiting historical sites, and especially going to bookstores, antique shops, and hat and boot shops – always looking to “find a deal.”

Some of his kids also worked on the pipeline jobs with him.  He became a Union Organizer in 2011, and retired on May 1, 2023.

Kosse was his home base during the “off” seasons, usually in winter.  He loved his cows and horses, which the family at Kosse took care of when he was away, with him calling to check on everything.   He was very adamant about structure and organization.

Ronnie had friends all over the country and the friends he met on the job became lifelong friends.    He had great admiration for his grandchildren.   They were the “Sweet babies” to him, and he was their “PiPi.”  

Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, George Henry Hill; his sister, Brenda Lynn McFarlin; and his mother, Martha Jane Keller.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Dallas and Teresa Hill of Harrison, AR; Gregory and Amy Hill of Clayton, North Carolina; and Justin and Angel Hill of Picayune, MS; and a daughter and son-in-law, Chelsi and Chuck Seale of Kosse, TX.  His seven “sweet babies” grandchildren are: Madison Hill, Elias Hill, Mackenzie Hill, Mackayla Hill, Cody Seale, Madison Seale, and Finnleigh Seale.   He is also survived by cousins (who were like brothers), Gary Hill and Alton Hill, as well as other cousins and numerous extended family.