Service Details
A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11:00 am in Gregg Chapel CME Church (2237 Howe St. in Racine) with Pastor David R. Green officiating. Viewing will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Interment will take place on Monday, April 22nd, at 11:00 am in Mount Olivet Memorial Park – Zion, IL.
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Racine– John (Jack) William Hill, 85, left this earthly life to be with our heavenly Father on April 10, 2019. He was born December 1, 1933 to John and Doralee Hill in Joliet, IL and graduated from Joliet High School and then attended Joliet Junior College. In 1957 he married Ethel Gardner in Waukegan IL and later relocated to Chicago IL. To that union three wonderful sons were born (John Robert, Scott Gardner, Phillip Sanford). Ethel passed away in 1985. In 1988, John married Elizabeth Lott, who passed away in 2003. While in Chicago, he was employed at The US Postal Service as a mail handler and on a special assignment in the sign painting shop. He also attended Roosevelt University where he graduated in 1970 with a BA in education. He taught in the Chicago Public School system. John graduated from the Sid Borden Sign Painting School and later worked for Ad Showcard Agency.
John relocated his family to Kenosha WI in 1973, and continued his employment with the US Postal Service until retirement in 1989. His love for education continued in the Waukegan School District and Racine Unified School District where he later retired in 2014. John had a true love for jazz music and baking. He loved sharing his knowledge for geography and history. One of his favorite places was Chicago and attending the Cubs games, air show and blues fest.
John recommitted his life to Christ in 1985 and joined the Reformation Church of God in Kenosha, WI under the leadership of Bishop Franklin. He served as an officer of the church. After being widowed he married Elizabeth Lott in June 1988 and became a member of the Greater Faith Church-Baptist under the leadership of Dr. C. L. Fairchild, where he was active in the Brotherhood Ministry. John then became a member of Gregg Chapel C.M.E. in Racine WI under the leadership of Pastor David R. Green. He was very active in Sunday School and enjoyed worship services. John loved traveling to church conferences. One of John’s greatest joys was spending quality time with his grandchildren.
John leaves to cherish his memory: Six Sons: Scott Hill – Waukegan IL, Phillip (Sandra) Hill – Franksville WI, Scott (Joyce) Lott – Waukegan IL, Karl Lott – Milwaukee WI, Clarence (Lisa) Lott – Nashville, TN, Alphonso (Alaiah) Lott – Atlanta GA; Four Daughters: Marilyn (Byron) McIntosh – Katy TX, Narkeater (Gary) Smith, Frozene (Robert) Hayes – Nashville TN, Antoinette Slater – Waukegan IL. Two Brothers: Jesse L. Hill – Chicago IL, Travis G. (Denise) Hill – Joliet IL; one sister: Marguerite E. (Kenneth) Howard – Shorewood, IL. Twenty Grandchildren: Tyquill, Robert, Kimberly, Sheldon, Imani, Brittney, Nia, Sanaa, Anna, Leona, Carlisha, Julian, Gregeory, Allen, Kiyanna, Karl, Kyler, Kelsey, Darien, Ferryn; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great- great grandchildren. Sister-in-laws: Arnita Crain-Kenosha WI, Mattie Lou Williams – Racine WI; Julia (Herman) Smith – Grand Rapids MI, Ethel Williams – Benton Harbor MI. Many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
John was preceded in death by his wives: Ethel (Gardner) Hill and Elizabeth (Lott) Hill, sons John Robert Hill, Allen Douglas and Julian Cornelius Lott; grandsons – Robert Eugene and Aaron Fernando Hayes; brother Calvin T. Hill, parents John B. & Doralee Hill, brother and sister-in-law: Henry V. and Nellie Cook, brother-in-law: Renzel Crain.
A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11:00 am in Gregg Chapel CME Church (2237 Howe St. in Racine) with Pastor David R. Green officiating. Viewing will be in the church on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Interment will take place on Monday, April 22nd, at 11:00 am in Mount Olivet Memorial Park – Zion, IL.
Renee Crain, favorite niece says
Uncle John always asked about the Crain nieces and nephews. He loved us and we loved him. I will always remember Uncle John as the navigator and my Aunt Ethel as the driver, going on a great adventure, driving their three boys in a red Chevy.
Uncle John and Aunt Ethel left the city that they loved, Chicago, to live in Wisconsin to give their sons a better quality of life. From Wisconsin, Ethel and John spent many hours commuting to and from Chicago, which showed dedication to their children.
Uncle John, as the first African American USPS mail carrier in Kenosha , experience prejudge from the community who did not want a black man
delivering their mail. He exposed the ignorance and silliness of those people.
Rest In Peace Uncle John.
Janet Days says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and dear friends of John Hill.