William R. Hill

 William Richard Hill (W.R.), a life-long resident of Fayetteville, North Carolina expired on Tuesday, March 28. He was born in Roanoke, Alabama on February 28, 1922 to Rosa Lee Townsend Hill and William Joe Hill He was the second of seven brothers and two sisters. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, he graduated from Parker Industrial High School and enrolled in Miles College. Later, he continued his education at Fayetteville State University where he earned a B.S. degree. Life-long learning was a driving core value for him and his family. Consequently, he continued his education earning an M.A. degree from Columbia Teachers College and an Ed.S. degree from East Carolina University. After retiring, W.R. attended Fayetteville Technical Institute. The gazebo that stands on the campus is a product of his efforts along with other students. The United States Army drafted W.R. in 1946. He was stationed in Fort Bragg NC. where he was trained as a medical technician. During this time, he met his future wife, Agnes Spaulding Mitchell. They became a part of a close circle of friends who played Bridge regularly. They were married on May 3, 1947. Agnes and W.R. spent fifty-three years together in a home which he built with his own hands. He credits Agnes with teaching him about the importance of family. W.R. was a career educator who inspired others to aim for excellence. He began his professional career at Lewis Chapel School where he was an industrial arts teacher. He advanced to Ann Chestnut High School as a principal. Later, he was assigned to Armstrong High School as a principal. He became one of the first African American Associate Superintendents in Cumberland County where he managed Title III funds. During his retirement years, he would recall feelings of pride at being at the "top of his professional game." During retirement , he returned to past pleasures of building and repairing his housing projects, coin collecting, and gardening. It was a special treat to be gifted with home grown tomatoes and vegetables from his garden. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Agnes Spaulding Hill; son, Dr. Howard Mitchell; six brothers: Booker, Roosevelt, Lee Andrew, Herman, Oliver and Earnest; and one sister, Mary Lee. He leaves to treasure his memory two daughters, Dr. Linda Akanbi of Atlanta, Georgia and Dr. Carrietta Adkins (Karl) of Charlotte North Carolina; "adopted" niece, Wanda Clay; "adopted" nephew, Milton Campbell; four granddaughters: Kimmi Natt (Bruce), Brandie Harris (Benjamin), Kristan Adkins (Dana Lumsden) and Bolanie Pace (Ahad); two grandsons, William Mitchell (Kim) and Akintayo Akanbi; six great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Logan Mitchell,  Karly Harris, Emiola Pace, Ahad Pace, and Maxwell Lumsden; one brother, James Hill of Bladensburg, MD; and one sister, Anna Ward of Buffalo, New York. Funeral service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 12:00 Noon in Wiseman Mortuary Chapel. Burial will follow in Mitchell Field Cemetery, Clarkton NC. Viewing Monday April 3, 2017 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and the family will receive friends 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the mortuary.

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