Obituary for David Clay Hill
David Clay Hill also known as Tex Colt 45, was born on February 16th 1930 in Haysi, Va. He was the son of John & Nannie “Lee” Hill. He had 5 brothers and 3 sisters.
He enlisted in the army on October 13th 1948. At only 17 years old he had the courage to take on the world. With less than half of a dollar in his wallet he headed toward Bristol VA.
He served in the 17th airborne, 7th army 1 B.N. & the Company B 14th armored Calvary. He was discharged as Staff Sgt. in 1954. He served 6 long years of honorable service for the country he loves. David was given the nickname “Tex” during his time in the Army.
He was a proud veteran, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to everyone he met.
He married Joan Barton Hill on January 7th 1952 and they had four children, Michael (Geri) Hill of Bristol VA, Marilynn Hill of Bristol VA, Dean (Reva) Hill of Haysi VA & Jennifer Hill Dales (Carl) of Greensboro, NC. He had 8 grandchildren, 1 honorary grandchild, 13 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren.
David had a great love for Jesus and became an ordained minister of the Old Regular Baptist Church on October 20th 1974. His love for Jesus never changed, even after his cancer diagnosis he was comforted by his faith. He said he knew where he was going and he pointed his hand toward the sky.
David had a smile that would light up the room and he never met a stranger. He was lighthearted and would stop and dance a jig at just about any time. You couldn’t help but love him and his generous heart.
He liked to look nice, many times you would see him in a suit or nice western shirt and a pair of cowboy boots. When he was dressed up he would say “here take a picture and put it on eBay”. We would laugh and say you mean “Facebook”.
He had a love for music whether he was with his family listening to them play, watching it on tv, or even picking around on an instrument himself.
David also enjoyed a good home cooked meal, whether he was cooking or going to one of the family’s house to eat. He was a good cook and many times would invite us to eat roast beef, creamed potatoes and corn bread. He was proud of his cooking and would laugh and say “man that’s some good cornbread”. Had to remember though if you were cooking for him you couldn’t forget the salt and pepper. A few days before he died, we made chicken and dumplings and even then, he said “it needs some salt”.
He also enjoyed visiting with his family and telling stories from his time in the army. He was so proud to have served and even up until he died if his body would have allowed him, he would have reenlisted. He would reminisce about his time in Germany and would have loved to have visited again.
He was a strong, proud man who not only fought for his country but his family too. He stood up for what he believed in and never beat around the bush about it and he encouraged us to do the same. We loved that about him.
There are so many memories and stories that we would love to share but we wouldn’t begin to have enough time for that. So, we will thank God for the time we have had with him, we will miss him and love him always.
Dad, “Popaw” you were a good one and we couldn’t have been more proud of you. Thank you for all you did for this family and for this country.
He enlisted in the army on October 13th 1948. At only 17 years old he had the courage to take on the world. With less than half of a dollar in his wallet he headed toward Bristol VA.
He served in the 17th airborne, 7th army 1 B.N. & the Company B 14th armored Calvary. He was discharged as Staff Sgt. in 1954. He served 6 long years of honorable service for the country he loves. David was given the nickname “Tex” during his time in the Army.
He was a proud veteran, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to everyone he met.
He married Joan Barton Hill on January 7th 1952 and they had four children, Michael (Geri) Hill of Bristol VA, Marilynn Hill of Bristol VA, Dean (Reva) Hill of Haysi VA & Jennifer Hill Dales (Carl) of Greensboro, NC. He had 8 grandchildren, 1 honorary grandchild, 13 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren.
David had a great love for Jesus and became an ordained minister of the Old Regular Baptist Church on October 20th 1974. His love for Jesus never changed, even after his cancer diagnosis he was comforted by his faith. He said he knew where he was going and he pointed his hand toward the sky.
David had a smile that would light up the room and he never met a stranger. He was lighthearted and would stop and dance a jig at just about any time. You couldn’t help but love him and his generous heart.
He liked to look nice, many times you would see him in a suit or nice western shirt and a pair of cowboy boots. When he was dressed up he would say “here take a picture and put it on eBay”. We would laugh and say you mean “Facebook”.
He had a love for music whether he was with his family listening to them play, watching it on tv, or even picking around on an instrument himself.
David also enjoyed a good home cooked meal, whether he was cooking or going to one of the family’s house to eat. He was a good cook and many times would invite us to eat roast beef, creamed potatoes and corn bread. He was proud of his cooking and would laugh and say “man that’s some good cornbread”. Had to remember though if you were cooking for him you couldn’t forget the salt and pepper. A few days before he died, we made chicken and dumplings and even then, he said “it needs some salt”.
He also enjoyed visiting with his family and telling stories from his time in the army. He was so proud to have served and even up until he died if his body would have allowed him, he would have reenlisted. He would reminisce about his time in Germany and would have loved to have visited again.
He was a strong, proud man who not only fought for his country but his family too. He stood up for what he believed in and never beat around the bush about it and he encouraged us to do the same. We loved that about him.
There are so many memories and stories that we would love to share but we wouldn’t begin to have enough time for that. So, we will thank God for the time we have had with him, we will miss him and love him always.
Dad, “Popaw” you were a good one and we couldn’t have been more proud of you. Thank you for all you did for this family and for this country.