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BORN
1930
DIED
2018
Jim Hill Obituary
JIM HILL
MIDDLETOWN- Jim Hill age 87, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Symphony of Centerville. He was born November 2, 1930 in Portsmouth, OH to Frank and Margaret (Lee) Hill. He served our country in the US Army during the Korean War with an honorable discharge. Jim was a gospel singer and songwriter best known for the hymn "What A Day That Will Be". Jim's career spanned many years singing with the Golden Keys Quartet, Stamps Quartet and Statesmen Quartet. Later he enjoyed being part of the Gaither's "Homecoming Series", which led to many opportunities to minister through music across the country. He was a long time member of Towne Blvd. Church of God and was a worship minister and choir director at the church for many years. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family. Jim also enjoyed time on the golf course with his friends. Jim is survived by his daughter, Susan (Mike) Webster of Clayton, OH; grandchildren, Missy Webster and Jimmy Webster. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth (Baldridge) Hill of 66 years; brothers, Paul Hill; sisters, Iris Burke, Ruby Long, Stella Canter and Gladys Oiler. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:30-1:00 pm at Towne Blvd. Church of God, 3722 Towne Blvd., Franklin, OH 45005. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 1:00 with Pastor Terry Ball officiating. In lieu of flowers, make memorial contributions to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420, Towne Blvd. Church of God, 3722 Towne Blvd., Franklin, OH 45005 or First Church of God, 100 East Avenue, Monroe, OH 45050. Interment will be at Woodside Mausoleum. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bakerstevensparramore.com.
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Kemunto
November 7, 2023
Blessed by the song What a day that will be this 7.11.2023.
Lanita Sue Blevins/Creech
July 10, 2018
Some of my favorite memories are Christian Baptist Campmeeting time in
Wheelersburg, OH and hearing Jim and the Golden Keys Quartet sing. Wow could they ever sing. His beautiful, tenor voice would ring the Heavens and God's presence would always show up. How I miss those days. My parents, Edward and Irene Blevins, were both ministers so we never missed a Campmeeting. Oh and how they loved Jim Hill! They are both in Heaven now and I feel sure they were part of Jim's welcoming party to Heaven. By the grace of God we will one day get to hear Jim sing again.
Martha Phipps
January 17, 2018
What a smile even on his journey to the promised land what a honor to care for this child of the Lord
Yvonne Plummer/Darling
January 15, 2018
Jim Hill wrote the song "What a Day That Will Be" and was sang by my Dad many times at funerals in Ohio & Kentucky, Thankful for Jim Hill's ministry in word & song. He was a Blessing to all.
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Annette Spencer
January 14, 2018
Rev. Hill... Thank you for the glorious song that I'm aware has encourage many of us over the years. Amen! Face to face. Praying for the family in your time of loss.
January 13, 2018
Dear Susan. We were so saddened to hear about the loss of your dad, he was a cousin of my mom's. We all have followed him for years, a few years ago he sent me a box full of his neck ties, I did a memory quilt of a "few great men" in my life, I sent him pictures. Our hearts are full of happiness and sorrow today. Blessings to you, Glenda Moore Cadiz Ohio
Janeen Ball
January 13, 2018
I have some precious memories of Brother Jim Hill when he was our song leader at the Grand Ave Church of God. He always made people feel special and had such a loving heart for people and especially for the Lord. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!
Debbie Gillespie
January 13, 2018
Glorious Day in Heaven indeed! Rest In Peace, Brother Jim Hill. Your memory and HIS glory will live on through your music.
Linda Turner
January 13, 2018
I am so sorry to hear of the passing Of Jim Hill. I have listen to him with the Gaither's and enjoyed his singing very much. God bless the family.
January 13, 2018
Such a great singer. He was my Mom's Cousin, Ethel Hill-Hamilton who sang his song every chance she had. It was her favorite. God bless your family.
Ilia Seagraves
January 13, 2018
Mister Jim it was a great pleasure to take care of you each day. I enjoyed singing before supper each night. Everyday I would belt out a song and you wud say I have the voice of an angel then you would sing the final verse of the song I was singing. I will treasure our moments and hold them dear to my heart. What a day that will be Mr Jim when we will all be together singing in the heavenly choir again together. I love you and hold u in my heart. Ilia Seagraves
Herb Peer
January 13, 2018
Jim was such an encouragement. He supported our quartet with great enthusiasm. I enjoyed going to lunch with him and having him accompany me to some concerts. On our way home from hearing the Collingsworths, we stopped in Brookville, OH for a bite to eat. His first request was for a phone (fortunately I had my cell phone) so he could check on his beloved wife. That made a real impression on me.
Gordon Jensen
January 12, 2018
Beginning in the early 1960s every Gospel group that came through town sang Jim's classic, "What a Day That Will Be" and it's popularity (due to it's ability to touch people in a very deep place)will continue from now on! The first time I heard him sing was as tenor with the Stamps Quartet around 1963 at a Sunday afternoon concert in Phoenix, AZ. The other members with him were Roger McDuff, Mylon LeFevre, Big John Hall and Smilin' Joe Roper on the piano. They brought the house down over and over and "What A Day That Will Be" was the crowning highlight of the program. I went on to join a Gospel group and we shared many stages with Jim in the Stamps Quartet and later the Statesmen Quartet with Hovie Lister. Jim was a winning part of that group for several years. He was always a Christian gentleman and an encourager. God blessed Jim with a long life and the next time I hear him sing, it will be with a voice that never falters or grows weary.
Thank you Jim for the blessing you have been to so many of us for so long!
Jerry Ferguson
January 12, 2018
To Jim Hill's Family: Know our prayers are with you as this generation of your loved ones closes. I was raised in the Mabert Road Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio from 1944-1962 when I entered the Air Force. Jim was a favorite part of my growing up. You can imagine my pleasure and surprise when he showed up one Sunday morning in my Riverside Church where I was pastor. I thank God for Jim's life and am grateful for the legacy he has left behind.
Keith Petrequin
January 12, 2018
Jim Hill was a very special person. I never saw Jim without a warm welcoming smile on his face. He always made others feel special. I remember when we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jim's famous song (and Elvis's favorite), "what a Day That Will Be". at a church in Washington Courthouse, Ohio. I had the privilege of singing baritone between Dall Miller, of the Southern-Aires Quartet and Rick Doran, of the Majestic Sounds Quartet. We all enjoyed singing together - especially Jim's song. I also had the privilege of following in Jim's footsteps as the Song Leader and Choir Director at Towne Boulevard Church of God under Pastor Frank Curtis. There is something about Gospel music that brings people together, and Jim Hill spent his life doing just that. Jim, you will be sadly missed down here, but we look forward to.seeing you and singing with you again in heaven and "What a Day That Will Be" !
Lynn Johnson-Jackson
January 11, 2018
He would come to our church when we were kids. Church of the Nazarene, third and brown streets, Portsmouth, Ohio. His sister would be there too. I am one of the Johnson girls from that church. RIP Jim Hill!
Lynn and Tim Jackson
January 11, 2018
He was such a good singer.
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