Ramon Hill

Ramon J. Hill, 85, a longtime area resident, died in his Roswell home Monday, April 30.

The son of John and Ida Hill, he was born and raised in New Athens, Ill., graduating high school there in 1944.

Mr. Hill first came to Roswell when he was stationed at Walker Air Force Base in 1945.
His career as a decorated high school athlete translated to similar success on the sports teams at Walker. Mr. Hill starred on basesponsored baseball and basketball squads that competed in tournaments throughout the region. He also played a key role on an Air Force AllStar basketball team that toured the Southwest and West Coast.
Upon completing his military service in 1948, Mr. Hill played professional baseball in the Longhorn League, a fouryear run that included three seasons in right field for the Roswell Rockets.

Mr. Hill returned to New Athens in 1952 and married Audrey, who was by his side until his passing almost 60 years later.

He became a bornagain Christian in 1955, and immediately began living his faith as a Sundayschool teacher at First Baptist Church in New Athens.
In 1967, the Hills and their three children relocated to Roswell, where Ray lived the rest of his life as a devoted husband, father and witness for Jesus Christ.

His Roswell service included a 35year membership at First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for several years.

He is survived by Audrey, his son Mike Hill and daughterinlaw Lauri Hill of Scottsdale, Ariz., daughter Patti Hill of Roswell, and son Randy Hill and daughterinlaw Julie Hill of Fountain Hills, Ariz. granddaughter April Anderson and grandsoninlaw Jeremiah Anderson of Mountain View, Calif., granddaughter Lauren Dana of Roswell and grandson Jonathan Hill of Fountain Hills, Ariz. great grandson Jake Anderson of Mountain View, Calif. sister Lucille Isom of Lake Worth, Fla. brotherinlaw Wayne Hagan of New Athens numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters Sylvia Hill, Dorothy Jetton, Dolores Bardos and Fern Hagan, and his brother Wilbert Hill.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Ballard Chapel, 910 S. Main St., followed by burial service at South Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Jonathan Hill, Jeremiah Anderson, Thurman Clark, Mack Wileman, Phil Downs and Dr. James Mooney.

Family and friends are welcome to view Ray at Ballard until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, P.O. Box 96105, Washington, D.C. 200906105.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
8:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, May 5, 2012
10:30 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 96105
Washington, DC  20090