Jesse Howard Hill

Mr. Jesse Howard Hill, age 94, passed away on January 7, 2022.

Howard was born on May 17, 1927, a son of the late Lee and Annie Pearl Haithcox Hill. Mr. Hill was a member of Guess Road Baptist Church for many years. Howard, a World War II Vet, served his country proudly in the United States Army as an Engineer.  Upon his return he began working for Otis Elevator Company as an installer.  One weekend when he was home in Greensboro, his sister, Shirley, introduced him to her best friend, Sarah Jeanette Lord.  They married and enjoyed 65 years of wedded bliss.  He retired from Otis Elevator Company in 1989 after having worked primarily in Durham, where he was affectionately known all over town as “Mr. Otis”. He was a member of Guilford Masonic Lodge #656.

Upon his retirement, he enjoyed RV camping with the Gold Leaf -North Carolina Good Sam RV Club.  At Sarah’s urging he joined the  Durham Senior Center Square Dance Club, where they both learned how to square dance and enjoyed performing for local community groups. Howard had many talents to include wood working, vegetable gardening and problem solving. He liked knowing how things worked and could be relied on to help you build a house or upgrade your wiring – all you had to do was ask.  He enjoyed being on the go. Dad enjoyed all of the activities that were available to him at Brookdale.  He didn’t know just how much he would enjoy assisted living, until he experienced it.  He would go and visit Sarah on a daily basis and his smiling presence will be missed by all who knew him.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his sister, Ora Lee Hill Benitoa; and brother, Paul E. Hill; and his youngest son, Steven Lee Hill.

Mr. Hill is survived by his son, David H. Hill (Debra) of Salem, MO; daughter, Elizabeth Hill Jones (Kenneth) of Chapel Hill, NC; sister, Shirley Hill Smith of Greensboro, NC; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held  from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2022 at Hudson Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Dan Tilley. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Ave Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612.